Nationals bring back slugger Adams on minors deal

In their quest to add more left-handed power to a lineup that sorely lacks it, the Nationals have harkened back to their glory days and found an old friend who wants to return.

The Nats have signed Matt Adams to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league camp, the club announced this morning, bringing the big slugger back three years after he launched 20 homers during their championship season.

The Nationals also announced the signings of three others to minor league deals with spring training invitations: infielder Travis Blankenhorn and right-handers Anthony Castro and Tommy Romero.

Adams, 34, certainly is no stranger to Washington, having spent most of the 2018-19 seasons here. Across 605 total plate appearances, he blasted 38 homers and drove in 104 runs, batting .240 with a .786 OPS.

Notoriously streaky, Adams cooled off during the second half of the 2019 season. A shoulder sprain also hindered him and left him mostly a bystander for the postseason. He took only four plate appearances that October, all as a pinch-hitter.

"Big City" hasn’t played regularly in the major leagues since. He appeared in 16 games for the Braves in 2020, then 22 for the Rockies in 2021, delivering minimal production. He spent this past season playing in independent ball, hitting 27 homers with 85 RBIs in only 367 plate appearances for the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association.

Whether there’s a realistic opportunity for Adams to make the Nationals’ Opening Day roster remains to be seen. They are, however, looking for a left-handed bat, possibly a DH or even a first baseman if they moved Joey Meneses to the outfield. In all likelihood, though, they are still in the market for a true corner outfielder, allowing Meneses to remain at first base and leaving the DH position open to multiple candidates.

Blankenhorn, 26, has 26 games of big league experience with the Twins and Mets over the last three seasons, having gone 5-for-29 with three doubles, one homer and four RBIs. A left-handed hitter, he has played mostly second and third base in the minors.

Castro, 27, owns a 6.00 ERA and 1.590 WHIP in 38 career relief appearances with the Tigers, Blue Jays and Guardians. In 36 games with the Guardians' and Orioles’ Triple-A affiliates this season, he sported a 3.55 ERA and 1.553 WHIP.

Romero, 25, returns to the Nationals after he was designated for assignment last month. The right-hander started one game late this season, becoming the first pitcher in club history to surrender five home runs in one outing. He had a 3.24 ERA and 1.209 WHIP in 29 games (15 starts) for the Nationals' and Rays’ Triple-A clubs.