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The Washington Nationals announced this morning that they had added two right-handed pitchers on minor league deals. Chris Young was re-signed after pitching in the organization last season. MLB.com's Bill Ladson reported that signing on Tuesday. The Nats added another name this morning in an announcement on Twitter:
The #Nats have signed RHP Chris Young and RHP Gabriel Alfaro to Minor League deals with invitations to Major League spring training.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) November 20, 2013
Alfaro, 30, struck out 12.0 batters per 9IP (K/9) in 2013 while pitching for Oaxaca in the Mexican League. Currently pitching in Venezuela.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) November 20, 2013
Young, 34, made seven starts with the Nats' Triple-A affiliate in an injury-shortened season in which he was (1-2) with a 7.88 ERA, a 7.17 FIP, 14 walks (3.94 BB/9) and 16 Ks (4.50 K/9) in 32 IP.
Alfaro, 30, spent two years in the Blue Jays' system as a 22/23-year-old in 2005-2006. The right-hander spent the last two seasons pitching for the Guerreros de Oaxaca in the Mexican League, where the 6'3'' right-hander was (10-5) with 52 saves, a 2.58 ERA, 48 walks (3.35 BB/9) and 163 Ks (11.37 K/9) in 110 games and 129 IP.
• Video via GuerrerosOaxaca on YouTube.
As the tweeted report noted, both right-handers received invitations to Spring Training.
• Note: The Nationals also need to make a decision on adding a player to the 40-Man Roster today before the deadline to protect eligible players from the Rule 5 Draft. More info on any roster additions when it is available (or when the Nats announce Sammy Solis has been added)...