Nationals sign Miguel Batista

The Nationals have signed right-hander Miguel Batista to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Batista could be both a starter and a reliever. Last year he served as a reliever for the Mariners, going 7-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 56 games.Known as a poet and novelist, Batista has played in the big leagues for 15 seasons, going a combined 95-108 with a 4.54 ERA for eight teams.

He also has a history with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, as they worked together when they were in the Diamondbacks. Rizzo was the team's scouting director, and Batista was a starter. They were with Arizona when the team won its only World Series in 2001. Let us put on nationals jerseys and support him.