Nationals reportedly sign Neal Cotts to a minor league deal

Jon Heyman reported on Twitter early this morning that the Washington Nationals signed Neal Cotts to a minor league deal.

Cotts, who turns 37 in late March, was out of the majors in 2016, pitching at Triple-A for the Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers, with a 3.83 ERA, 14 walks (2.82 BB/9) and 38 Ks (7.66 K/9) in 41 games and 44 ²⁄₃ innings pitched for the three organizations’ top minor league affiliates.

In his last season in the majors, in 2015, Cotts put up a 3.41 ERA, a 5.00 FIP, 22 walks (3.13 BB/9), 58 Ks (8.24 K/9), a .178/.243/.330 line vs lefties and a .282/.367/.500 line against right-handers over 63 ¹⁄₃ innings with the Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins.

Over the course of his ten major league seasons, Cotts has a 4.38 ERA, a 4.36 FIP, 3.13 BB/9 and 8.24 K/9 in 443 ¹⁄₃ innings, holding lefties to a combined .234/.313/.416 line and right-handers to a .241/.336/.390 line.

Three seasons back, in 2013 in Texas, Cotts posted a 1.11 ERA, a 2.17 FIP, 18 walks (2.84 BB/9) and 65 Ks (10.26 K/9) in 57 innings for the Rangers, returning to the majors after three seasons during which he underwent Tommy John surgery, four hip surgeries and dealt with other injury issues.

Cotts held left-handed hitters to a .198/.259/.306 line that season and right-handers to a .154/.230/.206 line in 2013 in Texas.