The Nationals have signed veteran lefty Shawn Estes to a minor league contract according to the AP (via MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez). Estes will earn $600K and could pocket another $400K in incentives if he makes the club.
Estes, 37 later this month, last pitched in the big leagues back in 2008, when he gave the Padres 43.2 innings of 4.74 ERA ball, though his peripherals were ugly (3.9 K/9, 3.7 BB/9). He spent last season with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, posting a 3.07 ERA in 13 starts despite similar peripherals. On the bright side, he did hold lefties to a .206 batting average.
