Nationals sign Burriss, three pitchers to minor league deals

The Nationals added some pitching depth to the organization Tuesday - and brought a local favorite back to the franchise, as well - during a series of minor league signings.

Right-handers Jacob Turner and Michael Broadway, left-hander Tim Collins and infielder Emmanuel Burriss all agreed to minor league deals with invitations to big league spring training. None would appear at this point to be strong contenders to make the opening day roster, but all will be given an opportunity to make a case come February.

All four players have major league experience, led by Collins, who owns a 3.54 ERA in 228 career relief appearances with the Royals. The 5-foot-7 lefty was a trusted member of Kansas City's bullpen from 2011-14, though he is attempting to return from two Tommy John surgeries in the last two years.

Collins first had elbow ligament replacement surgery in March 2015. After missing that entire season, during which the Royals won the World Series, he was nearing the final stages of rehab when the tendon graft that was supposed to repair his elbow failed, requiring another Tommy John procedure. He's currently nine months removed from that surgery, so his availability to open the 2017 season healthy remains a question.

Turner, 25, has 79 career big league appearances on his resume, 53 of them starts with the Tigers, Marlins, Cubs and White Sox. A 6-foot-5 right-hander, his numbers - 12-27 with a 5.09 ERA and a 1.506 WHIP - don't stand out, but the Nationals do need rotation depth at Triple-A Syracuse after dealing top prospects Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez in last week's Adam Eaton trade.

Broadway, 29, made 25 relief appearances for the Giants over the last two seasons, posting a 6.75 ERA and 1.632 WHIP. He previously pitched in the Nationals organization in 2013, going 2-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 30 games split between Syracuse and Double-A Harrisburg.

Burriss is the most familiar face to local fans, having grown up in Washington and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. The 31-year-old infielder owns a .237 batting average, .300 on-base percentage, one homer and 42 RBIs in 326 career major league games with the Giants, Nationals and Phillies.

Burriss briefly played for his hometown team in 2015, going 2-for-3 with two walks, but spending most of that season with Syracuse. He spent this season shuttling between Philadelphia and Triple-A Lehigh Valley.