Law is latest veteran reliever to join Nats on minor league deal

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Nationals added another experienced reliever to their spring training mix today, signing right-hander Derek Law to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp.

The deal, confirmed by a source familiar with the terms, will become official once Law passes a physical. He’s expected to join the club within the next few days.

Law, 33, owns a 4.08 ERA, 1.438 WHIP and 12 saves in 247 career games with the Giants, Blue Jays, Twins, Tigers and Reds. He spent the entire 2023 season in Cincinnati’s bullpen, going 4-6 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.382 WHIP over 54 games.

A ninth-round pick of the Giants in the 2011 MLB Draft, Law burst onto the scene in 2016, delivering a 2.13 ERA and 0.964 WHIP in 61 games for San Francisco, then making three appearances during the postseason. He quickly regressed after that season and has spent the ensuing years moving from one organization to another.

Law did enjoy success over the last year and a half with the Reds, who somewhat surprisingly didn’t tender him a contract after season’s end, making him a free agent.

The Nationals have been looking for more pitching depth and have now signed three experienced arms since spring training opened last week. Law joins fellow reliever Jacob Barnes and starter Zach Davies as minor league signees who will be given a shot to make the team out of big league camp.

Law could have a decent case for his inclusion on the flight north to D.C. at the end of March. Five right-handers are probably assured of spots in the Opening Day bullpen, assuming good health: Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey, Tanner Rainey, Dylan Floro and Jordan Weems. Manager Davey Martinez has spoken highly of left-hander Robert Garcia as a candidate for high-leverage spots as well.

That likely leaves two bullpen jobs up for grabs. Law joins right-hander Barnes, Robert Gsellman, Luis Perdomo and Amos Willingham, plus lefties Jose A. Ferrer, Joe La Sorsa and Richard Bleier as potential candidates. Right-handers Mason Thompson (who was shut down with a sore elbow before camp opened) and Zach Brzykcy (recovering from Tommy John surgery) aren’t expected to be ready by Opening Day.

Law’s signing was first reported by FanSided.com.