Nationals sign Reed Johnson, Sean Burnett to minor-league deals

The Nationals announced Monday that they have agreed to terms on minor-league contracts with outfielder Reed Johnson and left-hander Sean Burnett. Both ex-Nationals were free agents and will return to the organization after rehabbing injuries.

Johnson, 38, appeared in 17 games with Washington at the beginning of last season, hitting .227 with three RBI in 22 at-bats. He damaged a tendon in his foot in early May and missed the rest of the season before electing free agency in early October.

If he makes the major-league roster, Johnson figures to provide depth behind Bryce Harper, Michael A. Taylor, Jayson Werth and Clint Robinson in the Nats' outfield mix.

Burnett, 33, has seen only 10.1 innings of major-league action in the last three seasons after signing a two-year, $7.25 million deal with the Angels before the 2013 season. The southpaw has undergone shoulder surgery and his second Tommy John surgery over the last two seasons, but will return to a Nationals' organization with whom he posted a 2.81 ERA in 245 appearances from four seasons from 2009 to 2012.