Nationals sign Jeremy Guthrie to Minor League deal with invite to Spring Training

The Washington Nationals announced another signing this afternoon. Jeremy Guthrie, 37, got a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training from the Nationals.

Guthrie, a 12-year veteran, pitched for the San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins’ Triple-A affiliates in 2016, putting up a 7.68 ERA in 17 starts and 86 ²⁄₃ innings pitched.

In his last major league action, the one-time Cleveland Indians’ 1st Round pick (2002), pitched for Kansas City in 2015, in his third season with the Royals, putting up a 5.95 ERA, 5.62 FIP, 44 walks (2.67 BB/9) and 84 Ks (5.10 K/9) in 30 games, 24 starts and 148 ¹⁄₃ innings of work.

Over the course of his twelve seasons in the majors (with the Indians, Baltimore Orioles and Royals), the right-hander has a 4.37 ERA, a 4.77 FIP, 2.58 BB/9 and 5.33 K/9 with a .249/.307/.399 line against right-handed hitters and a .283/.343/.485 against left-hand hitters.

Guthrie signed with the Australian Baseball League’s Melbourne Aces this winter, telling ESPN.com’s Thomas Neumann in January that he “...wanted to tune-up his arm in hopes of returning to the majors.”:

"Getting ready for this season, I was looking for somewhere to pitch, see how I felt and where I was at and maybe give a team or two a chance to see me if they were thinking of signing me for an invite to camp."

In three starts for the Aces, the right was (1-1) with a 3.38 ERA, two walks and nine Ks.

Guthrie joins veteran pitchers Joe Nathan and Matt Albers as depth for the Nationals as Spring Training approaches.

Nathan and Albers signed minor league deals this week as well.

Vance Worley, Jacob Turner, Mike Broadway, Braulio Lara and Tim Collins are a few of the other non-roster invitees set to join the Nationals in their new Spring Training home in West Palm Beach, Florida later this month.