Nats Insider.com's Mark Zuckerman is reporting that a team source has told him that the Washington Nationals signed 35-year-old left-hander J.C. Romero to a minor league deal. The former Philadelphia reliever was drafted by Minnesota in 1997 and has pitched for the Twins, Red Sox, Angels and Phillies over the course of a 13-year MLB career. The last five seasons were spent in Philadelphia, where the late-inning lefty was (6-6) with a 2.37 ERA 117 walks (6.38 BB/9) and 133 K's (7.25 K/9) in 237 games and 165.0 IP. 

The lefty, who's missed time with a calf injury this season has made 24 appearances for Philadephia, pitching 16.1 innings in which he has a 3.86 ERA, 4.11 FIP and more walks 12 (6.61 K/9) than K's 10 (5.51 K/9). Romero was given his unconditional release by the Phillies over a week back and cleared waivers. According to Mr. Zuckerman he'll be assigned to Triple-A Syracuse. 

On the year, Romero's held left-handers to a .208/.321/.208 slash but right-handed bats have hit .297/.435/.432 off the lefty this season which is slightly worse than his .268/.382/.426 line against right-handers. In his career he's held left-handers to a .215/.312/.290 line.