Nationals pick up $12M option on Gio Gonzalez

Gio Gonzalez will open the 2017 season with the Washington Nationals, as the team announced Thursday it picked up the $12-million club option on the left-hander.

Gonzalez, 31, struggled to his highest ERA (4.57) since his 2009 sophomore campaign, earning 11 wins during 32 starts for the National League East champions.

The Nationals also announced they've declined their $3-million option on right-hander Yusmeiro Petit, instead buying him out for $500,000.

Petit was a disappointing 3-5 with a 4.50 ERA and 1.32 WHIP during his first season with the Nationals.