Nats sign right-hander Gabriel Alfaro to minor league deal

By Dan Kolko

Nationals

November 20, 2013, 5:33am

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I wrote yesterday that the Nationals had signed veteran right-hander Chris Young to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training. Today, the Nats officially announced the Young deal, and also announced they've agreed to a minor league deal with another right-handed pitcher, Gabriel Alfaro. Alfaro, 30, has spent just two seasons in affiliated baseball in the United States, playing for short-season Single-A Auburn in 2005 and 2006 back when that team was affiliated with the Blue Jays. Since then, Alfaro has bounced around, but has played the last two seasons for Oaxaca of the Mexican League. In 2013, Alfaro went 4-3 with a 2.71 ERA and 26 saves in 53 relief appearances spanning 63 innings. He posted a 1.127 WHIP, struck out 12 batters per nine innings and had a 3.5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. This marked the second straight strong season for Alfaro, who put up a 2.45 ERA, 26 saves, a 1.076 WHIP and 3.29-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio for Oaxaca in 57 relief appearances in 2012.