Nationals Select the Contracts of RHP Juan Jaime, LHP Atahualpa Severino & LHP Aaron Thompson

The Washington Nationals today selected the contracts of right-handed pitcher Juan Jaime, left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino and left-handed pitcher Aaron Thompson. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Jaime went 5-2 with a 2.10 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) last season with Vermont of the Single-A New York-Penn League and Hagerstown of the Single-A South Atlantic League. The 22-year-old posted a .189 batting average against and 12.3 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (76 K/55.2 IP) at the two levels. Jaime is 10-3 with one save and a 2.42 ERA in 42 games (14 starts) as a professional. Severino is coming off a strong 2009 campaign, going 10-0 with 15 saves and a 2.62 ERA in 44 relief appearances with Potomac of the Single-A Carolina League and Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. He ranked second in the Nationals' chain for saves and fifth for wins (first among relievers). The 25-year-old is 20-6 with 17 saves and a 2.61 ERA in four professional campaigns. A former first-round pick (22nd overall in 2005), Thompson was acquired from the Florida Marlins in exchange for first baseman Nick Johnson on July 31. The 22-year-old posted a 3.93 ERA in 26 starts at the Double-A level last season with Jacksonville of the Southern League and Harrisburg. Thompson is 22-37 with a 3.96 ERA in 101 games (100 starts) for his career. With today's additions, the Nationals' 40-man roster now includes 40 players.