Cubs announce deal with lefty Wright

CHICAGO -- The Cubs and left-handed pitcher Wesley Wright officially agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.425 million contract on Monday.

The deal was first reported Dec. 4, but the free-agent pitcher needed to undergo a physical exam before it was finalized. Wright, 28, who was non-tendered by the Rays, is under team control through 2015.

Wright has combined to post a 3.28 ERA in 168 relief outings over the last three seasons. He split the 2013 season between the Astros and Rays, and was a combined 0-4 with nine holds and a 3.69 ERA in 71 relief appearances.

The Cubs were looking for another left-hander to share the workload with reliever James Russell.

In 303 appearances in all or part of six Major League seasons with the Astros (2008-13) and Rays ('13), Wright has posted a 10-15 record with 50 holds, two saves and a 4.37 ERA. In the last three seasons, Wright has walked 41 batters over 118 innings, an average of 3.1 walks per nine innings.

The Cubs are still looking for a closer, and they were reportedly talking to John Axford, who signed with the Indians on Monday. Other free-agent relievers still looking for a job include Grant Balfour, Joaquin Benoit, Fernando Rodney, Joel Hanrahan, Kevin Gregg and Chris Perez. Gregg saved 33 games for the Cubs last season.