Nationals announce non-roster invitees to spring training

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo today announced 20 non-roster invitees for spring training. First baseman/outfielder Mike Carp, second baseman Dan Uggla, third baseman Ian Stewart and right-hander Heath Bell were among 13 players the Nationals agreed to terms with on minor league contracts with invites to major league spring training. Seven additional minor league players received spring training invites, including right-hander Rafael Martin and infielder Cutter Dykstra.

Carp started 56 games and appeared in 79 games in 2013 for the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, mostly splitting time between the outfield and first base. Carp hit .296 with nine home runs, 43 RBIs and an .885 OPS that season. However, his production dropped significantly in 2014, when he managed just a .175 batting average with no homers and a .519 OPS over 149 plate appearances split between the Red Sox and Rangers. The 28-year-old has a career .254 batting average, 27 homers and 123 RBIs in 887 at-bats across six seasons with three clubs. Carp does provide an option as a left-handed bat coming off the bench should he make the 25-man roster out of spring training and could be insurance if left fielder Jayson Werth and new first baseman Ryan Zimmerman have lingering injury issues.

The Nationals hope they see the Uggla in Viera that once hit 30 or more homers in five straight seasons. It's possible that a diagnosis of oculomotor dysfunction, a condition where eye movement and the ability to track items are affected, last fall may finally help the 34-year-old recover from a 2012 beaning. Uggla's vision declined the past few seasons and he received a career-low 141 at-bats last season with Atlanta and San Francisco, slashing .149/.229/.213 with 46 strikeouts. He'll have a shot to compete at second base if he can find his bat.

Stewart made the Angels' opening day roster last season and appeared in 24 games before a left hand contusion sent him to the disabled list. Stewart has primarily played third base during his seven major league seasons with three teams. In 2009, Stewart had 25 home runs with 70 RBIs for the Rockies. He brings a modest .229 career batting average to Viera.

Martin was named an MiLB.com Organization All-Star following last season after going 3-2 with 11 saves and a 1.39 ERA while advancing through three levels of the Nationals system. He was impressive during a three-month period, not allowing an earned run over a span of 46 1/3 innings between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Syracuse. He'll compete for a spot in a bullpen that's lost a few key contributors from a year ago.

Here's a complete list of all of today's invitees:

Pitchers

21 Heath Bell, RHP
56 Bruce Billings, RHP
62 Eric Fornataro, RHP
17 Manny Delcarmen, RHP
45 Mitch Lively, RHP
52 Rafael Martin, RHP
65 Scott McGregor, RHP
43 Evan Meek, RHP
50 Matt Purke, LHP

Catchers

21 Spencer Kieboom
71 Steven Lerund
70 Pedro Severino

Infielders

16 Emmanuel Burriss
66 Cutter Dykstra
18 Kila Ka'aihue
25 Clint Robinson
63 Matt Skole
10 Ian Stewart
26 Dan Uggla

Outfielders

33 Mike Carp