According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, Vicente Padilla is "getting closer" to an agreement with the Red Sox.

The Diamondbacks were linked to Padilla on Friday afternoon, which may have put a spark in Boston's negotiating efforts. The 34-year-old right-hander barely pitched in 2011 due to neck surgery, but he still has nasty stuff and could be an effective pitcher for the Red Sox if health is on his side in 2012.

Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald shoots down a report that Vicente Padilla has met with the Red Sox but states that the free agent right-hander is "still on the radar" for the team.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported Thursday that the two sides were "moving towards a deal," and although he might have jumped the gun a bit, it sounds like interest is mutual. Padilla made just one relief appearance in an injury-shortened 2011 season, but he reportedly was clocked in the mid-90s with his fastball this winter in the Dominican Republic.

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Red Sox are "moving toward a deal" with Vicente Padilla.

Francisco Jarqu¡n Soto of the Nicaraguan paper El Nuevo Diario reported earlier Thursday that Padilla was being checked out by Red Sox doctors, and now we know why. If he passes his physical, the 34-year-old will likely be given a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He owns a 4.31 career ERA.

According to Francisco Jarqu¡n Soto at Nicaraguan paper El Nuevo Diario, Vicente Padilla will be checked by Red Sox doctors Thursday.

The story was passed along by Nick Collias of MLB Trade Rumors. Padilla underwent season-ending surgery last June to repair a bulging disk in his neck, but was reportedly reaching the mid-90s with his fastball this winter in the Dominican Republic. He only pitched in relief last season with the Dodgers, but would like a chance to win a rotation spot with an MLB team. The 34-year-old right-hander will likely have to accept a minor league deal.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the Pirates will not scout free agent right-hander Vicente Padilla next week.

This shoots down a Spanish-language report from over the weekend. The 34-year-old Padilla underwent season-ending surgery in June to repair a bulging disk in his neck, but is reportedly reaching the mid-90s with his fastball this winter in Nicaragua. He'll likely have to settle for a spring training invite somewhere.

Dodgers transferred RHP Vicente Padilla from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

He was moved to open a spot for Tim Federowicz on the 40-man roster. Padilla underwent season-ending surgery in June to repair a bulging disk in his neck. The veteran right-hander will be a free agent this winter.

Dodgers trainer Stan Conte confirmed that Vicente Padilla is likely done for the season after undergoing surgery Thursday to repair a bulging disk in his neck.

Padilla will be in a neck brace for the next two weeks and for him to pitch again this season, he'd need to start throwing again in 6-7, which Conte says would be "probably highly optimistic." The right-hander will be a free agent this offseason.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that Vicente Padilla will undergo neck surgery Thursday.

Padilla recently received an anti-inflammatory injection for a bulging disk in his neck, but he apparently hasn't seen any improvement. The veteran right-hander is expected to miss an "extended period of time" following surgery.

Vicente Padilla recently received an anti-inflammatory injection for a bulging disk in his neck.

The neck flared up on Padilla late last week, which kept him from being activated from the disabled list after recovering from his forearm problem. There's no timetable for his return.

Vicente Padilla has remained on the disabled list due to a recurrence of neck pain that kept him out for the final month of last season.

Padilla is over the forearm issue that landed him on the DL and was slated to rejoin the Dodgers on Friday, but then the neck issue suddenly cropped up. It's unfortunate timing for Padilla and for fantasy owners that were hoping to squeeze some more saves out of the right-hander. It's not clear at this point how long he might be out.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Vicente Padilla (forearm) will be activated from the disabled list Friday.

Mattingly made the announcement on Jim Bowden's SiriusXM radio show. Padilla tossed two scoreless innings in a rehab appearance with High-A Rancho Cucamonga Tuesday and is expected to make one more appearance before being activated. What's not clear is if he'll immediately be thrust back into the closer role until Jonathan Broxton returns.

Vicente Padilla (forearm) tossed two scoreless innings Tuesday in a minor league rehab appearance with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Padilla surrendered a fly out and five groundouts. He's expected to make one more rehab appearance before a potential return from the disabled list Friday.

Dodgers placed RHP Vicente Padilla on the 15-day disabled list with right forearm discomfort.

Padilla has been unavailable for the past couple of days and the Dodgers decided this evening not to wait any longer for him to improve. Matt Guerrier is expected to handle save chances while Padilla is out and needs to be scooped up in most fantasy leagues.

Vicente Padilla (forearm) is unavailable out of the Dodgers bullpen again Thursday.

Padilla will see a doctor Wednesday evening, but he doesn't think he'll be out long. We can't be too sure given that he had the forearm operated on just a couple months ago. Matt Guerrier will handle the save chances for the Dodgers while Padilla is sidelined.

Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Vicente Padilla was unavailable Tuesday night because of forearm stiffness.

Matt Guerrier took the mound in the ninth inning and collected his first save. It's too early to know if Padilla's injury is a day-to-day issue or a sign of something more. He has yielded three runs in his last three relief appearances, so it will be interesting to see who manager Don Mattingly throws out there in the coming days.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly confirmed that Vicente Padilla is unavailable for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Padilla is still the closer, but he was pulled from a save opportunity Friday night after throwing 32 pitches. Kenley Jansen, who finished off the Diamondbacks on Friday, would likely get the ball in a save situation, though Mattingly wouldn't offer any confirmation.

Vicente Padilla was pulled out of a save opportunity against the Diamondbacks after giving up two runs in the ninth inning Friday.

Fortunately, the Dodgers entered the ninth with a three-run lead and Kenley Jansen was able to get the job done after Padilla failed. It was Padilla's first real misstep in nine appearances out of the pen, so his job as the Dodgers' closer is likely safe for now. However, since he threw 32 pitches in his tough outing tonight, he might not be available Saturday. That could lead to another chance for Jansen.

Vicente Padilla picked up his first save since 2000 with a perfect 10th inning Wednesday against the Marlins.

One wonders exactly who is running things in Los Angeles: manager Don Mattingly stated that Jonathan Broxton was his closer yesterday, but Broxton never warmed up today in the Dodgers' 5-4 win. Instead, Padilla got the ball after the team took the lead in the top of the 10th, and he went on to retire Omar Infante, Hanley Ramirez and Gaby Sanchez on grounders to end the game. It was his third career save. Whether Broxton gets the next opportunity is completely up in the air at this point.

Vicente Padilla is expected to draw save chances for the Dodgers temporarily.

The Dodgers stripped Jonathan Broxton of his primary ninth inning duties on Tuesday. He may still get looks, and Hong-Chih Kuo will also be in the mix once he returns from the disabled list, but Padilla is worth grabbing in fantasy leagues for the time being. He's always had really good stuff.

Dodgers activated RHP Vicente Padilla (elbow) from the 15-day disabled list.

Padilla underwent elbow surgery in late February, and will pitch out of the bullpen. That could remain his role for the rest of the season, but he'll obviously be first in line for starts if injury befalls any of the Dodgers' current five starters. Of Padilla's 321 career appearances, 84 have come out of the bullpen.