Twins add veteran closer Alex Colomé

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins are bolstering their bullpen with right-hander Alex Colomé.

The contract for Colomé will cover at least one year and $6.25 million, with $5 million for 2021 and an option for 2022 at $5.5 million that can be declined by the Twins for a $1.25 million buyout, according to a second person with knowledge of those negotiations.

Both people spoke Wednesday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because each deal was pending a physical.

Colomé, who had 12 saves and an 0.81 ERA in 21 games for the division rival Chicago White Sox in 2020, likely will step in as the primary closer.

The Twins signed reliever Hansel Robles and starting pitcher J.A. Happ — on one-year commitments, as with Simmons, Colomé and Nelson Cruz — earlier this winter.

Colomé broke in with Tampa Bay in 2013, made the All-Star team in 2016 and spent six seasons there while current Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was on staff with the Rays.

The 32-year-old had 47 saves in 2017, was traded to the Seattle Mariners in 2018 and dealt again to the White Sox after that season. The Twins let Sergio Romo, Trevor May and Tyler Clippard become free agents from last year’s relief corps, leaving Taylor Rogers and Tyler Duffey as the top late-inning options along with Colomé.