ATLANTA — Seeking some experienced help for a bullpen that has struggled through the season’s first three weeks, the Nationals have signed veteran Jose Valverde to a minor-league contract, a club source confirmed Tuesday afternoon.
Valverde, 37, is currently at the Nationals’ spring training complex in Viera, Fla., building his arm up after getting released by the Padres last month.
The veteran right-hander provides some low-risk insurance for a Nationals bullpen that has seen massive turnover in the last six months. The five relievers who threw the most innings for the club in 2014 are now all gone (Tyler Clippard, Rafael Soriano, Ross Detwiler, Jerry Blevins) or injured (Craig Stammen).