The free-agent catcher A. J. Pierzynski is set to join the Texas Rangers on a one-year deal.

The deal was confirmed by a person in baseball with knowledge of the contract. Pierzynski passed a physical on Friday, but with the Major League Baseball office closed for Christmas, no roster move will be made until next week in the earliest. The Rangers do not have an open spot on their 40-man roster, having claimed the left-handed reliever Jeff Beliveau on waivers from the Chicago Cubs earlier in the day.

In signing Pierzynski, the Rangers will fill the spot vacated when catcher Mike Napoli left as a free agent.

Pierzynski, who will turn 36 on Dec. 30, hit .278 with a career-high 27 homers and 77 runs batted in, matching a career best, in 135 games with the Chicago White Sox last season.

Nevertheless, Pierzynski was left off the American League All-Star roster by Rangers Manager Ron Washington, who instead selected Minnesota’s Joe Mauer for the final catcher’s spot.