Lefty Abad reportedly signs minor league deal with Nats

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

December 19, 2019, 6:57am

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The Nationals will extend spring training invitations to a swath of players who sign minor league contracts this winter, and among those players will be a veteran reliever who previously pitched for the organization.

Left-hander Fernando Abad has agreed to terms with the Nats on a minor league deal, according to The Athletic. The 34-year-old will compete with countless others in West Palm Beach, Fla., who hope to secure the one or two spots on the opening day roster that figure to be up for grabs.

Abad owns a 3.67 ERA and 1.285 WHIP in 384 career major league appearances, 39 of those coming for the Nationals in 2013. He was subsequently traded after that season to the Athletics for outfielder John Wooten, who never advanced beyond Single-A Potomac before retiring.

Abad has bounced around ever since, pitching for the A's, Twins, Red Sox and Giants. He had a 4.15 ERA and 0.923 WHIP in 21 games with San Francisco this season.