Nationals sign Nate Schierholtz to minor league contract

The Nationals have signed outfielder Nate Schierholtz to a minor league contract, according to an announcement from the team. Schierholtz, who was recently designated for assignment and released by the Cubs, will report to Triple-A Syracuse.

It is currently unclear if Schierholtz's deal includes an opt-out date or not, but it is likely that he signed the deal with a promise from the team that he would be in the major leagues soon. The Nationals have a solid starting outfield of Bryce Harper, Denard Span and Jayson Werth, so Schierholtz will likely join the team's reserve corps along with Scott Hairston and recent callup Michael Taylor.

Schierholtz, 30, has struggled to a .192/.240/.300 line while hitting six home runs and driving in 33 runs in 99 games for the Cubs this season. Despite significant trade interest at the non-waiver trade deadline last season, the Cubs decided to hold onto Schierholtz in the midst of a career year in which he hit .251/.301/.470 with 21 home runs in 137 games, in a decision that clearly backfired this season.

In parts of eight major league seasons with the Giants (2007-2012), Phillies (2012) and Cubs (2013-2014), Schierholtz is a lifetime .254/.303/.406 hitter with 51 career home runs and 224 RBI.