The Rays have agreed to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with left-hander J.P. Howell, avoiding salary arbitration. Howell was arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter. The 28-year-old southpaw made $1.1 million last season while posting a 6.16 ERA and 26/18 K/BB ratio over 30 2/3 innings. He'll pitch in middle relief for the Rays this season.