WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Nationals have added a much-needed experienced arm to their bullpen, albeit one trying to bounce back from a rough year.
Veteran Lucas Sims formally signed a one-year deal with the Nats this morning, the 30-year-old right-hander getting a major league contract and thus a near-guaranteed spot on the Opening Day staff.
Needing to clear space on the 40-man roster, the club placed Mason Thompson (who had Tommy John surgery last spring) on the 60-day injured list.
Sims, who was in uniform and ready to participate in today’s workout, is behind his new teammates by a week but believes his late signing won’t impact his ability to be ready for the regular season.
“I was patient. I had a good situation in the offseason out in Arizona. I was content,” he said. “I was able to get my work in. I knew whenever a deal came together that I was going to be ready to go. I’m glad it worked out.”
