Nationals reportedly interested in veteran starter Bronson Arroyo

Even with the departures of right-handers Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister through free agency, the Nationals haven't been aggressively pursuing starting pitchers this offseason.

"I like the rotation as it is," Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said earlier this month. "We have a very talented, quality starting rotation."

Rizzo reportedly flirted with righty Mike Leake and left-hander Scott Kazmir before the free agents signed with the Cardinals and Dodgers, respectively. According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the Nats are now showing interest in veteran starter Bronson Arroyo.

Arroyo, who turns 39 next month, didn't pitch in the majors last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in July 2014. Before the major procedure, the durable right-hander had never been placed on the disabled list, making 326 starts and logging 2,074 1/3 innings from 2004-2013.

Over his 15 seasons in the majors, Arroyo is 145-131 with a 4.19 ERA. His career began with three seasons in Pittsburgh before moving on to Boston, where he won a World Series title with the Red Sox in 2004.

Arroyo was traded to the Reds in 2006 and made his lone All-Star team that season. He was a member of new Nationals manager Dusty Baker's rotation in Cincinnati from 2008-2013, going 82-68 with a 4.17 ERA over that period.

The Diamondbacks signed Arroyo as a free agent in 2014 and he went 7-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 14 starts before being shut down for Tommy John surgery. Last year, he was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Braves and then dealt from the Braves to the Dodgers during his rehab.

The Nationals are planning to plug Tanner Roark back in the rotation as a full-time starter after the right-hander spent a rocky season bouncing back and forth from the bullpen to the rotation. And following an impressive rookie year, right-hander Joe Ross is expected to fill another rotation spot with aces Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg and lefty Gio Gonzalez.

The Nationals also have right-handers Taylor Jordan and A.J. Cole looking to prove themselves as major league starters this season. And top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito will join the Nats for his first big league spring training next month, with hopes of making his debut in the majors this season.

The Marlins and Reds are also reportedly interested in Arroyo.