CHICAGO – A person familiar with the situation said former Arkansas and Southern California quarterback Mitch Mustain is closing in on a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox.

The person spoke Friday on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized. That is expected to happen early next week.

Mustain told the NBC affiliate in northwest Arkansas that he had agreed to a deal with the White Sox.

He had planned to play in the Arena Football League this year but put that on hold.

A right-handed pitcher, Mustain hasn’t played baseball since he was at Springdale (Ark.) High School.

He played football at Arkansas as a freshman in 2006 before transferring to USC and backing up Mark Sanchez and Matt Barkley.

Indians sign All-Star infielder

All-Star infielder Asdrubal Cabrera and Cleveland agreed to a $4.55 million, one-year contract and avoided salary arbitration.

The agreement was $75,000 above the midpoint between the $5.2 million he had asked for in arbitration last month and the $3.75 million the Indians had offered.

Cleveland’s best player last season, Cabrera hit .273 with 25 homers, 92 RBI and 32 doubles. He made $2,125,000.

In signing Cabrera, one of seven Cleveland players to file for arbitration this winter, the Indians do not have a single player with a guaranteed contract after the 2012 season.

Valentine excited about Sox-Yanks

Bobby Valentine said he’s not sure what it will be like to manage the Boston Red Sox against the New York Yankees, and Don Zimmer said he’s not giving him any advice.

Valentine and Zimmer, a former Red Sox skipper and Yankees coach, were among a group of baseball stars who showed up at the Mohegan Sun casino in Uncasville, Conn., for the Connecticut Sports Foundation’s annual charity dinner to benefit cancer research.

Former Yankee greats Goose Gossage and Yogi Berra also were there. Joe Girardi was expected, but didn’t meet with the media.

Valentine, a Stamford native, says those are the guys who know what the rivalry is, and he’s just looking forward to learning about it.

Around the leagues

Reliever Scott Linebrink agreed to terms on a minor league contract with St. Louis, and will be among the non-roster invitees to spring training. The 35-year-old Linebrink was 4-4 with a 3.64 ERA in 64 games with Atlanta last season. …

New York Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain made 15 throws in his second session on a half-mound at the team’s minor league complex, part of his rehabilitation after elbow ligament replacement surgery. Chamberlain said he was “happy with the progress and feeling good.” …

Kansas City agreed to terms with 12 players who will be making their way to Arizona for the start of spring training this month.