Nationals sign veteran starter Bronson Arroyo to minor league deal

The Nationals added some competition to the mix for their starting rotation when pitchers and catchers report next month by signing Bronson Arroyo to a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training.

Arroyo, who turns 39 on Feb. 24, hasn't pitched professionally since undergoing Tommy John surgery while with the Diamondbacks in July 2014. During his rehab, the veteran right-hander was traded to the Braves last June and then dealt to the Dodgers in July before becoming a free agent at season's end.

Prior to his short time in Arizona, Arroyo pitched in Cincinnati for eight seasons and was part of then-Reds manager Dusty Baker's starting rotation from 2008-2013.

Arroyo was considered one of the game's most durable arms before experiencing Tommy John surgery, the first significant setback of his career. Since making his major league debut with the Pirates in 2000, Arroyo has gone 145-131 with a 4.19 ERA over 369 starts.

Arroyo started 29 games for the World Series champion Red Sox in 2004 and made his lone All-Star team with the Reds in 2006. He was 7-4 with a 4.08 ERA in 14 starts before his shutdown in 2014.

MLB.com reports Arroyo will make $2 million if he lands on the Nationals major league roster and can earn up to $8 million if he starts 32 games.

The Nationals are set at the top of their rotation with ace right-handers Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg and lefty Gio Gonzalez. But there is uncertainty on the back half concerning whether right-hander Tanner Roark can regain his 15-win form of 2014 after a tumultuous season last year bouncing back and forth from the bullpen and rotation. And the Nats are also expecting fellow right-hander Joe Ross to build off his stellar rookie campaign while filling a full-time spot in the starting five in 2016.