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. That big-name closer is former Twin Joe Nathan, a six-time all-star with 377 saves to his name.
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 righthander Matt Albers, another candidate to provide much-needed relief depth.
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 Washington. The Cubs and Giants gave Nathan a try last season, and he did not allow a run in 6⅓ 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.
...Righthander Kris Medlen agreed to a minor league contract with the Braves as he attempts to revive his career with his original team. The 31-year-old Medlen was 1-3 with a 7.77 ERA with Kansas City last season. He is 41-25 with a 3.25 ERA in 75 big league starts and 98 relief appearances.
... The Red Sox defeated former Twins pitcher Fernando Abad in Major League Baseball's first salary arbitration hearing this year. Abad was awarded $2 million rather than his $2.7 million request. The 31-year-old lefthander was 1-6 with a 3.66 ERA last year in 57 relief appearances for Minnesota and Boston, which acquired him Aug. 1 for righthander Pat Light. Abad was 0-2 with a 6.39 ERA in 18 games for the Red Sox.
college football
NCAA, Riddell sued
The NCAA and helmet maker Riddell are defendants in separate class-action lawsuits alleging they failed to protect football players from long-term head injuries and didn't educate them about the risks.
