VERO BEACH, Fla. — Right-hander Takashi Saito agreed to a $2 million, one-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers today, a day before the team's pitchers and catchers report to spring training.

"I'm very relieved to clean everything up," he said through a translator. "It just feels a lot better not having to worry about my contract. I'm just very happy that the Dodgers consider me a very important part of the team."

Saito, who can earn an additional $200,000 in incentives, was 2-1 with a 1.40 ERA and 39 saves in 43 chances with the Dodgers last season, and made the NL All-Star team.

Saito, who turns 38 on Thursday, signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers two years ago after playing 14 seasons for Yokohama of the Japanese Central League. He was 6-2 with a 2.07 ERA and 24 saves in 26 chances in his first NL season.