Despite assurances that the Washington Nationals were happy with their rotation options going into the 2018 campaign, rumors of interest in adding an arm were persistent in the last few months, and this afternoon the Nats have reportedly signed veteran right-hander Jeremy Hellickson to a Minor League deal.
ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick was first with the news tonight, writing on Twitter that a source confirmed that the 30-year-old right-hander will join the Spring Training battle for the fifth spot in the Nationals’ rotation.
A.J. Cole, who is out of options, and Erick Fedde, who impressed again today in Grapefruit League action, came into camp as the most likely candidates to fill out the Nats’ rotation behind the 2016-17 NL Cy Young winner, Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, and Tanner Roark, with veterans Edwin Jackson and Tommy Milone in camp competing for spots on the Opening Day roster as well.