Twins add veteran workhorse reliever Matt Belisle

Two weeks before spring training opens, the Twins have made a move to upgrade their AL-worst bullpen.

Matt Belisle, a 36-year-old righthander who has pitched for the Reds, Rockies, Cardinals and Nationals, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Twins worth $2.05 million, a major league source confirmed Thursday night.

Belisle posted a 1.76 ERA in 46 innings for Washington last season, striking out 32 while walking only seven. He mostly served as a middle-inning reliever with the Nationals; 28 of his 46 innings pitched last year came in the sixth or seventh innings.

Belisle is the first free agent pitcher signed to a major league contract by Derek Falvey, the Twins' new Chief Baseball Officer. Minnesota's 4.63 bullpen ERA last season ranked last in the American League and 26th in the majors.

The Austin, Texas, native, drafted in the second round by Atlanta in 1998, was a starting pitcher early in his career, but developed into a workhorse reliever in Colorado. He led the NL in appearances in 2012, pitching in 80 games for the Rockies and posting a 3.71 ERA. Belisle's innings have decreased the past two seasons — he's pitched only 79.2 innings combined — but his ERA has improved to 2.67 in 2015 with St. Louis and 1.76 in Washington last year.

Belisle pitched six seasons for Colorado (2009-14) and five in Cincinnati (2003-08). In 598 major league games, he is 49-55 with a 4.20 ERA and 632 strikeouts in 834 innings.

Belisle joins Ryan Pressly and Brandon Kintzler as the righthanded mainstays of Minnesota's bullpen for 2017, with the possibility remaining that the Twins will add a lefthander to the mix before spring training opens on Feb. 14.

The righthander is expected to sign his contract on Friday. The Twins must first clear a spot on their 40-man roster to make room for Belisle, a decision that won't be an easy one for Falvey and general manager Thad Levine.