The reigning National League Comeback Player of the Year has a new organization after left-hander Jonny Venters signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.
He was assigned to Double-A Harrisburg.
Venters was honored for his work last season with the Atlanta Braves, when he went 4-1 with two saves and a 3.54 ERA in 28 relief appearances. He also pitched for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018, going 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 22 appearances.
He was coming off his third Tommy John surgery in 2018, having been out of the major leagues since 2012.
Venters, 34, struggled early this year, producing a 17.36 ERA in nine appearances before the Braves released him earlier this month.
In five seasons with the Braves and Rays, Venters was 20-12 with a 2.68 ERA and 10 saves. He was an All-Star for Atlanta in 2011, appearing in a league-leading 85 games while posting a 1.84 ERA.
He has made one start in 289 appearances, as an opener with the Rays last season.