Setup man Joe Blanton and the Washington Nationals finalized a $4-million, one-year contract on Thursday.
The 36-year-old right-hander was a free agent after pitching for the Dodgers in 2016; he went 7-2 with a 2.48 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 80 innings across 75 regular-season appearances. He then went 1-0 and allowed only one hit in five scoreless innings in four games during a National League Division Series victory over Washington.
Washington does not have an experienced closer after Mark Melancon left as a free agent to sign with the San Francisco Giants.