Jordan Zimmermann is leaving the Washington Nationals.
The free-agent right-hander has reportedly agreed to a five-year, $110 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, pending the completion of a physical.
Zimmermann was a two-time all-star with the Nationals and went 70-50 with a 3.32 ERA in 178 starts over seven seasons. Last season, Zimmermann was 13-10 with a 3.66 ERA in a career-high 33 starts. He won 19 games in 2013, tied for most in the National League.
Zimmermann pitched the Nationals’ first no-hitter against the Miami Marlins on the final day of the 2014 season.
The 29-year-old leaves as the Nationals’ all-time leader in wins, innings, strikeouts and games started. Zimmermann could return to Washington to face his former team this summer as the Tigers open a three-game series at Nationals Park on May 9.
Zimmermann made his major league debut on April 20, 2009 with the Nationals, pitching six innings with three strikeouts, and giving up just six hits, one walk and two earned runs in a win over the Atlanta Braves. He was drafted in the second round in 2007 by the Nationals.
As compensation for losing Zimmermann, the Nationals will receive a second-round pick from the Tigers in the 2016 amateur draft after Zimmermann turned down the Nationals’ qualifying offer.
• Kevin Leitzell can be reached at kleitzell@washingtontimes.com.
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