Red Sox to sign reliever Edward Mujica

AP

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Mujica was 2-1 with 37 saves and a 2.78 ERA with the Cardinals last season

Mujica will set up closer Koji Uehara

BOSTON (AP) — A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press that the Boston Red Sox and reliever Edward Mujica have agreed on a two-year contract.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal was pending a physical and had not been announced. The 29-year-old Mujica gives the Red Sox some protection if closer Koji Uehara, who turns 39 in April, cannot repeat his 2013 performance next season.

The move comes one day after Boston completed an $8.25 million, one-year contract with catcher A.J. Pierzynski, who gets a $7.5 million salary and a $750,000 signing bonus.

Mujica was 2-1 with 37 saves and a 2.78 ERA for the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals last season. He made two appearances in the playoffs, giving up one run in two innings. He did not appear in the World Series against the Red Sox.

In an eight-year career, the right-handed Venezuelan has a 19-19 record with 41 saves and a 3.75 ERA.