Nationals agree to terms with right-hander Casey Janssen

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Casey Janssen on a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2016 on Monday. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Janssen, 33, joins the Nationals after 10 years in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, including five consecutive Major League seasons with an ERA of 3.95 or lower. "We are happy to add Casey Janssen to our stable of relief arms," Rizzo said. "We're excited about what he will bring to our bullpen - on the mound, as one of the most effective and consistent relievers the last several years, as well as in the clubhouse. He is a veteran guy who has a plethora of experience in late, high-leverage innings, and we're thrilled to add him to our mix." In 2014, Janssen was 3-3 with a 3.94 ERA over 45.2 innings pitched. From 2011-2013, however, Janssen was 11-2 with a 2.46 ERA while appearing in 173 games (102 games finished), racking up 58 saves, 170 strikeouts, and posting a 0.977 cumulative WHIP over 172 IP. Before the All-Star break in 2014, Janssen was 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in 23 games (22 IP) with 14 saves. Over the course of his career, Janssen is 29-24 with a 3.52 ERA, 90 saves, and 368 strikeouts in 493.0 IP. The third Blue Jays pitcher ever to record three straight 20-save seasons, the veteran right-hander has significant experience in late-inning roles, including 90 career saves - 81 of which were earned in the previous three seasons alone. With the addition of Janssen, the Nationals have designated right-handed pitcher Eric Fornataro for assignment. Fornataro was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals on a waiver claim in November 2014. In eight Major League games in 2014, Fornataro was 0-0 with a 4.66 ERA.