Written by Chelsea Janes at Washington Post.com
The Washington Nationals, who have tantalized fans this winter with futile pursuits of big-name closers, finally signed one Tuesday afternoon — though he is 42 years old and far from a sure ninth-inning thing. Joe Nathan, a six-time all-star with the Twins and Rangers, has 377 saves. But he has made 11 big league appearances in the past two seasons, has two Tommy John surgeries on his well-worn right arm, and will begin the season with a minor league deal that comes with an invitation to major league spring training. The team also announced a similar deal with veteran right-hander Matt Albers, another candidate to provide much-needed relief depth.
Albers and Nathan are the type of players for whom the Nationals hunt this time of year — low-risk, long-resume veterans who can compete for a relief job in spring training. Two seasons ago they gave another former all-star closer, Heath Bell, a try, though he ultimately did not make the major league roster. Last year, veterans such as Burke Badenhop, Sean Burnett and Matt Belisle came into camp competing for space. Belisle stuck.
Nathan had the second Tommy John surgery of his career in April 2015 after throwing just four pitches. He had the first in 2010, after two consecutive all-star seasons with the Twins. He joined the Rangers before the 2012 season and recovered his all-star form under pitching coach Mike Maddux, with whom he will be reunited in D.C. The Cubs and Giants gave Nathan a try last season, and he did not allow a run in 6 1/3 major league innings.
In his prime, Nathan’s fastball sat in the mid-90s, but he was an all-star with an average fastball velocity of 92.3 in 2013. His velocity was around 91.3 during his brief big-league stint last year, and his slider had lost about two miles per hour from his career average.
To continue reading this article, click here.
