The Washington Nationals signed outfielder Gerardo Parra, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman confirmed, bolstering the depth of their currently aching outfield.
Gerardo Parra agrees to MLB deal with Nats
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 8, 2019
Parra, 32, played 30 games for the San Francisco Giants this year but was designated for assignment and then waived. He cleared waivers and elected free agency Tuesday, and Washington scooped him up.
Parra had an uninspiring start to the 2019 campaign, especially at the plate. He batted .198 with a .278 on-base percentage for the Giants, contributing only four extra-base hits (including one home run).
But the Nationals did not necessarily have loads of options. Juan Soto remains on the injured list, though his return is approaching. Andrew Stevenson, a Triple-A quality player to begin with, left Tuesday’s loss to the Brewers early with back spasms, and Michael A. Taylor — who’s also hurt and listed as day-to-day — has struggled mightily in 2019.
Heyman said Parra’s deal is a major-league contract. In San Francisco, Parra was only on a minor league deal.
The Nationals will be the sixth team in the Venezuelan’s 11-year MLB career. He’d played for Arizona, Milwaukee, Baltimore and Colorado before arriving in San Francisco last offseason.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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