Nats announce signings of Senzel, Floro; Downs is DFA

The Nationals officially announced last week’s signing of third baseman Nick Senzel this afternoon, then added another signing for good measure: veteran reliever Dylan Floro.

Both Senzel and Floro have officially signed one-year deals, Senzel’s worth $2 million plus incentives and Floro’s worth $2.25 million plus incentives, sources familiar with the terms confirmed. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal was first to report Floro’s salary.

Needing to clear one spot on their 40-man roster in order to announce these moves, the Nats designated infielder Jeter Downs for assignment.

Senzel, who came to terms on his contract last week as the Winter Meetings wrapped up, is expected to start at third base for the Nationals, hoping to finally realize the potential that made him the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 Draft by the Reds. Even if he does, he’s still viewed as a stop-gap at third until top prospect Brady House (who finished this season at Double-A Harrisburg) is ready to debut.

The Floro signing, which just came together in recent days, gives the Nats something they suggested last week they were seeking: Bullpen depth to help take some workload off top late-inning arms Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey.

Floro, who turns 33 later his month, owns a 3.42 ERA and 32 saves in eight big-league seasons with six different clubs. All of the right-hander’s saves came during the last three seasons with the Marlins, and his best work came in the three seasons prior to that when he twice went to the World Series with the Dodgers and won one ring.

Floro had a rough statistical season with the Marlins and Twins, finishing with a 4.76 ERA and 1.535 WHIP in 62 games. But his low FIP (2.96), consistent home run and walk rates and increased strikeout rate suggest he may have been the victim of bad luck and could be due for a bounceback year.

Downs was cut loose by the Nationals one year after they took a flier on the former top prospect, who was part of the Dodgers’ blockbuster trade for Mookie Betts but then was dropped by the Red Sox after struggling mightily. The 25-year-old spent most of this season at Triple-A Rochester, where he hit .236/.358/.379 in 51 games. He appeared in six big-league games, going 2-for-5 with four walks and two stolen bases.