NATIONALS AGREE TO TERMS WITH LHP ODALIS PEREZ

Odalis Perez, 31 will return to Nationals on minor league contract and invitation to spring training.

Press Release from the Nationals:

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on a non-guaranteed minor-league 2009 contract with left-handed pitcher Odalis Perez. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Jim Bowden made the announcement.


Perez made 30 starts and logged 159.2 innings in 2008 during his first season with Washington. Among Nationals’ starters, his 14 quality starts and 4.34 ERA were second only to John Lannan’s (21 quality starts/ 3.91 ERA) totals. He was the Nationals’ Opening Day starter last season, thus throwing the first pitch during the inaugural regular-season game at Nationals Park. He went on to post a 2.65 ERA in 16 starts on the banks of the Anacostia. The 31-year-old is a veteran of 10 major league seasons.