Dodgers sign Scott Kazmir to 3-year, $48 million deal

The three-time All-Star was among the top names left on the free-agent market after revitalizing his career over the past three seasons with Cleveland, the A’s and Houston.

Kazmir’s deal includes an opt-out clause after the first year, but his arrival is a highlight in an unusual offseason for the Dodgers, whose fans are still sore about losing right-hander Zack Greinke in free agency to Arizona.

Los Angeles also declined to close a deal with right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma, who re-signed with Seattle, and backed out of a trade for Cincinnati closer Aroldis Chapman after learning the Cuban had been investigated over an accusation of domestic violence.

Kazmir is headed to the NL for the first time in his six-team, 11-year major-league career, but the Dodgers’ front office is quite familiar with the resilient 31-year-old starter.

Lionel Messi scored in his 500th match for Barcelona to help it ease past Real Betis 4-0 and ensure it kept the lead of the Spanish league to conclude a superb year for the Catalan club.

Messi recovered from a hard knock with Antonio Adan that was ruled a penalty against the Betis goalkeeper, by scoring Barcelona’s second goal after an own goal by Real Betis.