Nats add two infielders, including 40-man roster addition Fox

The Nationals have added to their infield depth, claiming Lucius Fox off waivers from the Orioles and signing former Blue Jays shortstop Richard Ureña to a minor league contract.

Fox immediately joins the Nats' 40-man roster, which for the moment is full. That very well could change by the end of the day if the club chooses not to tender contracts to any of their nine unsigned arbitration-eligible players before the league's 8 p.m. deadline.

Fox was acquired only two weeks ago by the Orioles, who claimed him off waivers from the Royals. The 24-year-old middle infielder spent the majority of the season at Triple-A Omaha, where he hit .242 with a .347 on-base percentage and .363 slugging percentage across 252 plate appearances. A switch-hitter, he stole 19 bases in 21 attempts while being charged with seven errors while splitting time between second base, shortstop and even center field.

Fox, who entered the season rated as the Royals' 22nd-best prospect, originally signed with the Giants as a free agent in 2015, deemed the third best prospect in that class of international players. He was traded the following year to the Rays, who then dealt him to the Royals in 2020 for eventual postseason hero Brett Phillips.

Fox has yet to appear in a big league game, but he has been on clubs' 40-man roster for two seasons now. He has one option year remaining, so the Nationals could send him to Triple-A Rochester without risk of losing him.

Ureña does have 91 games of major league experience with the Blue Jays, spread out among the 2017-19 seasons. Also a switch-hitter, he owns a .253/.300/.336 offensive slash line in 263 career plate appearances, charged with seven errors in 87 total games in the field, the vast majority at shortstop and second base.

The 25-year-old Ureña spent this season at Triple-A Buffalo, hitting .272/.310/.438 with 25 doubles, nine homers and 49 RBIs across 350 plate appearances. Having signed a minor league deal, he's not on the Nationals' 40-man roster, but he is out of options. If he ever makes the big league club, he would need to clear waivers before being demoted to the minors again.