Nationals sign Brendan Ryan to minor-league deal
Gretchen Ertl / Reuters
The Washington Nationals have signed infielder Brendan Ryan to a minor-league contract, adding the defensive specialist to their 2016 depth chart.
His deal includes an invitation to spring training.
Ryan joins a Nationals club that's already added middle infielders Daniel Murphy and Stephen Drew in the offseason.
With the addition of Ryan, the Nationals have an abundance of infield depth on their 40-man roster, which also includes Danny Espinosa, Anthony Rendon, and Trea Turner.
Ryan, a 33-year-old veteran, was released by the Chicago Cubs on Dec. 23 after being included as part of the Starlin Castro trade.
Ryan spent the past two and a half seasons with the New York Yankees, and is a career .234/.295/.315 hitter.