:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48892889/usa-today-8775342.0.jpg)
San Diego added depth to its bullpen Saturday morning, signing Casey Janssen to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
Janssen, 34, spent the 2015 campaign pitching out of the Nationals' bullpen, pitching to a 4.95 over 40 innings. Washington declined a club option at the end of the season.
Although he did not have much success last season, Janssen has proven to be productive throughout the course of his career, saving at least 20 contests between 2012 and 2014 with the Blue Jays.
Janssen's average fastball velocity has been dropping since 2011, though, and he has become a fly ball pitcher, with his ground ball rate dropping to 29.4 percent last season.
Signing Janssen could prove to be a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Padres. After trading Craig Kimbrel to the Red Sox, the Padres have Fernando Rodney slotted to close games. However, if Rodney struggles and Janssen makes the club, he could end up pitching in the ninth inning for San Diego.