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John Lannan has bounced around since he left the Washington Nationals in 2012, and has made just 19 appearances in the majors since then. Lannan, now 32, has not been in the majors since 2014.
An ‘05 11th Round pick by the Nationals, who was (42-52) with a 4.01 ERA over 134 career starts for the Nats, Lannan spent the 2016 campaign at Triple-A Omaha in Kansas City’s system after signing as a free agent with the Royals in December 2015.
He went (7-8) with a 5.24 ERA, 5.39 FIP, 43 walks (2.92 BB/9) and 55 Ks (3.74 K/9) in 25 games, 19 starts and 132 1⁄3 innings pitched last season.
According to a report by Washington Post writer Jorge Castillo on Twitter, the Nats have signed Lannan to a minor league deal (no invitation to Spring Training), bringing the left-hander back to the organization:
The Nationals have signed John Lannan to a minor league deal. No invite to big league camp.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgeccastillo) March 7, 2017
In his last sustained run in the majors, Lannan went (3-6) in 14 starts for Philadelphia in 2013, with a 5.33 ERA, 4.37 FIP, 27 walks (3.27 BB/9) and 38 Ks (4.60 K/9) in 74 1⁄3 IP.
Lannan was the Nationals’ Opening Day starter in two straight seasons in 2009-2010.
While he likely won’t provide more than organizational depth, it’s nice to see an old National brought back into the fold, and he can provide some depth at Triple-A...
The Nationals signed Lannan with the intention of making him a submariner reliever. It's an experiment.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgeccastillo) March 7, 2017