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Washington Nationals agree to terms with Yusmeiro Petit, officially....

The Washington Nationals announced this afternoon a signing that was reportedly widely last week. Yusmeiro Petit joins the Nationals' bullpen on a one-year deal and figures to step into the role Craig Stammen filled over the last few seasons.

By Patrick Reddington
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

When he spoke to reporters about the work the Washington Nationals are doing to rebuild their bullpen this winter, GM Mike Rizzo discussed the addition of veteran right-hander Yusmeiro Petit when asked if the former San Francisco Giant could fill the role left when Craig Stammen was non-tendered and became a free agent.

"[Petit is] a terrific major league pitcher," Rizzo said.

"He's battle-tested and really gives the manager a lot of freedom and diversity. He can start, he can relieve, he can pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen..." -Mike Rizzo on the addition of Yusmeiro Petit

"He's a good swing guy, started games for a World Championship team. Pitched leverage innings in the playoffs and he's battle-tested and really gives the manager a lot of freedom and diversity. He can start, he can relieve, he can pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen, he can spot start for you and he can be in the rotation for you."

The Nationals made their deal with Petit, which is a "one-year deal with a conditional option for a second year," official this afternoon, announcing the agreement on Twitter.

Petit, 31, pitched for the Giants over the last four seasons, after pitching for the Miami Marlins and Arizona D-Backs earlier in his seven-year major league career.

Petit put up a 3.47 ERA, a 3.96 FIP, 14 walks (1.80 BB/9) and 57 Ks (7.33 K/9) in 76 innings last season, holding opposing hitters to a combined .247/.285/.455 line.

As the Nationals note in a press release on the signing, Petit has over the years established, "... a reputation for having a durable arm and a penchant for strike-throwing," and, "57 of his 90 appearances with the Giants were more than an inning in length."

According to reports, Petit agreed on a 1-year/$2.5M deal with an option for 2017 or a $500K buyout:

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