Red Sox nearing deal with veteran Capuano

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- In an effort to add some veteran pitching depth to replace Ryan Dempster, the Red Sox are close to signing lefty Chris Capuano, a native of Springfield, Mass., to a one-year contract.

"I don't have anything to announce today, but we made a little progress on something," general manager Ben Cherington said on Thursday.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported that the agreement between the Red Sox and Capuano is for one year at $2.25 million, and it includes incentives that could bring the deal to $5 million.

Dempster announced earlier this week that he won't pitch in 2014.

The 35-year-old Capuano, who has spent his entire career in the National League, went 4-7 with a 4.26 ERA in 24 appearances (20 starts) for the Dodgers last season.

Capuano is 73-83 with a 4.27 ERA in 238 appearances, 209 of which have been starts.

Boston's projected rotation features Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Jake Peavy and Felix Doubront.

Capuano offers depth if one of those pitchers suffers an injury during camp. He could also help out of the bullpen.