D-backs sign Hoover to Minors deal

The D-backs signed free-agent reliever J.J. Hoover to a Minor League contract on Friday.
The deal could be worth $900,000 if Hoover makes the club, plus $425,000 in incentives for appearances, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The deal includes an invitation to Spring Training.
Hoover, 29, pitched his first three seasons in middle relief for the Reds after debuting in 2012. Hoover thrived as Aroldis Chapman's setup man in 2015, though, going 8-2 with a 2.94 ERA in 67 appearances.
The right-hander was given a chance to close after Cincinnati traded Chapman to the Yankees before the 2016 season, but he allowed 17 earned runs over his first 12 relief appearances before being demoted to Triple-A Louisville. Hoover returned briefly to the Majors in June, but he spent the rest of 2016 in the Minors. He finished the season with a 13.50 ERA and nine home runs allowed in 18 games with the Reds.
Hoover accumulated a 4.12 ERA in 236 appearances for Cincinnati, all out of the bullpen.