Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Dodgers and J.P. Howell are closing in on a one-year deal.

Nothing is finalized yet, and potential terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed. Howell is the top left-handed reliever remaining on the free agent market and would join a formidable bullpen that already boasts Kenley Jansen, Brandon League and Ronald Belisario.

According to Dan Kolko of MASN Sports, J.P. Howell is the Nationals top target on the free agent market to fill their void for a left-handed reliever.

Two of the three left-handers in the Nationals 2012 bullpen, Tom Gorzelanny and Mike Gonzalez, have signed elsewhere in the past week, leaving a gaping hole. Should they miss out on Howell, the free agent market drops off considerably, so expect their pursuit of Howell to heat up in the coming weeks.

Bill Ladson of MLB.com hears that the Nationals, Phillies, Cubs, Mariners and Rangers have interest in J.P. Howell.

Howell appears to the the Nats' top choice to replace Sean Burnett, but they obviously have some competition. The left-hander struggled in 2011 in his first year back from shoulder surgery, but he rebounded nicely in 2012, posting a 3.04 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 42/22 K/BB ratio in 55 appearances for the Rays.

The Nationals have "checked in" on J.P. Howell.

Howell, 29, is one of the top left-handed specialists on the free agent market. He's spent the last seven seasons with the Rays and posted a 3.04 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 42/22 K/BB ratio in 55 appearances in 2012. The Nationals are believed to be targeting him to replace Sean Burnett.

Free agent J.P. Howell would like to return to the Rays, but indicated that there were "a handful" of teams that have shown interest in signing him.

Howell added that he wasn't sure how quickly his decision would come. The 29-year-old posted a 3.04 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 42/22 K/BB ratio over 50 1/3 innings for the Rays in 2012, and is one of the finest left-handed specialists on the free agent market.

J.P. Howell has been unscored upon over his last 20 innings.

He reached the mark by striking out four over two scoreless frames Saturday. "J.P. was really sharp; he was incredibly good," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "They didn't get good swings on him, I thought he was really good. J.P. is really showing flashes of the past right now." Howell has had a nice bounce-back season, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 39 appearances for Tampa.

J.P. Howell tossed a scoreless 12th inning on Monday to earn the win over the Mariners.

He walked a batter and induced three ground outs in the 13-pitch frame. Howell has not shown the same dominance since undergoing shoulder surgery in 2010. Coming off a miserable 2011 season, he has rebounded nicely with a 2.35 ERA. But keep in mind that opponents are batting .276 against him.

The Rays have agreed to a one-year, $1.35 million contract with left-hander J.P. Howell, avoiding salary arbitration.

He can make an additional $500,000 with incentives. Howell, who was arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter, made $1.1 million last season while posting a 6.16 ERA and 26/18 K/BB ratio over 30 2/3 innings. The 28-year-old southpaw will pitch in middle relief for the Rays this season.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that J.P. Howell and Andy Sonnanstine are candidates to be non-tendered by the Rays.

Howell's first season back from shoulder surgery didn't go well, as he held an ugly 6.16 ERA over 46 games. He did at least keep left-handed batters to a .222 mark, and he was fantastic in 2008 and 2009 before the shoulder problems surfaced. While Tampa might not be willing to pay what he'll make in his final year of arbitration, there will be teams out there willing to give him a chance to rebound. Sonnanstine spent a good chunk of 2011 at Triple-A and will likely make around $1 million in arbitration. It's a modest figure but one the Rays don't find enticing.

J.P. Howell was ejected from Friday's game against the Cardinals in the top of the eighth inning.

Howell's frustration boiled over after he walked Lance Berkman and David Freese on close pitches and gave up a three-run homer to Colby Rasmus. He tossed a ball towards the dugout and then had words with home plate umpire Vic Carapazza before getting tossed. Rays manager Joe Maddon was ejected in an earlier at-bat while David Price and Elliot Johnson were also shown the door following Howell's ejection.

J.P. Howell (gout) is available for Friday's game against the Astros.

Howell missed Wednesday's game after being diagnosed with gout in his left foot. "You've got to just medicate it and maybe change your diet," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "Not knowing what it is just plays on your mind. Now that we have definition, he feels a lot better about it." Howell, 28, has a 9.35 ERA and 7/4 K/BB over 8 2/3 innings this season.

J.P. Howell has been diagnosed with gout.

Howell left the Rays on Wednesday to have his sore left foot examined in St. Petersburg and the diagnosis was made public Thursday evening. He will rejoin the club before Fridays' game against the Astros and should be available out of the bullpen in a few days.

J.P. Howell (foot) said there's a "zero percent chance" he'll need a stint on the disabled list.

Howell had to be sent back to Tampa in order to have his sore left foot examined, but he contends it's "no big deal." He'll likely return to the Rays bullpen over the weekend.

J.P. Howell has been sent back to Tampa in order to have his sore left foot examined.

The Rays have their series finale with the Brewers Wednesday before an off day Thursday, so, assuming the foot issue isn't a big deal, Howell could join the team in Houston Friday. We'll have to see what the doctor says, though.

Rays activated LHP J.P. Howell from the 15-day disabled list.

Dealing with shoulder issues, Howell last pitched in the big leagues on September 22, 2009. He'll be joining a Rays bullpen that has overachieved so far this season, and his use will likely be limited for a few weeks as he gets back into the major league swing of things. Considered a dark-horse for some save opportunities over the winter, it's too early to make Howell a speculative add in AL-only leagues, even if you are desperate for a stopper.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the disabled list Friday.

Howell was originally expected to be activated Thursday, but plans have changed now that Monday's rehab outing was rained out. He's now scheduled to make his final rehab appearance on Tuesday, which pushes his return back by one day.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) gave up four unearned runs on three hits in a rehab outing for Triple-A Durham Thursday.

His ERA still sits at 0.00 since the runs were unearned, but it's notable that he struggled in what was the first time he's pitched in back-to-back games during his rehab. It could give the Rays pause in using him in consecutive games initially, but it won't keep them from activating him next week. Howell is scheduled to make a final rehab appearance Monday before being activated on Wednesday or Thursday.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) could be ready for activation from the disabled list after his ninth rehab appearance on Sunday.

Howell has looked fantastic in seven appearances this far, tossing 7 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out 13. He'll pitch Thursday, making back-to-back appearances for the first time, before making his final appearance Sunday.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) allowed a hit and a walk in a rehab inning for Single-A Charlotte Sunday.

He'll make the fifth of his 10 scheduled rehab appearances on Thursday, moving up to Triple-A Durham. He's shooting for a mid-May return and thus far has been progressing on schedule.

J.P. Howell (shoulder) struck out one in a perfect rehab inning for Single-A Charlotte Thursday.

He'll make the fourth of his 10 scheduled rehab appearances on Monday, though Thursday's outing was his first beyond extended spring training. He's shooting for a mid-May return and thus far has been progressing on schedule.