:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/23594191/20130321_ter_su8_366.0.jpg)
The Washingtion Nationals have re-signed pitcher Chris Young to a one-year minor-league contract, William Ladson of MLB.com reports. The deal will be worth $1.5 million if Young makes the Nationals' roster and it includes up to $6 million in incentives, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
Young signed a minor league deal with Washington last season but did not reach the majors. The oft-injured righty battled shoulder problems for most of the 2013 season and pitched just 32 innings in nine starts in the Nationals minor league system, posting a 6.81 ERA across three levels. Shoulder injuries also cost him most of the 2010 and 2011 seasons and limited him to 115 innings in his last season in the majors with the Mets in 2012.
Should Young manage to say healthy, however, he could be bargain for Washington. He has a career ERA of 3.76 and prior to the start of his arm troubles he regularly posted above-average strikeout rates. He is an extreme fly-ball pitcher who has spent most o his career in more pitcher-friendly environments, so home runs could be an issue for him, but if he is able to make the roster and stay healthy enough to pitch regularly, he should provide solid value in the back of the rotation at a maximum cost of $6 million.
Kilgore also reports that Young will be able to opt-out of this deal at the end of spring training.