VIERA, Fla. -- Left-hander Odalis Perez agreed to a non-guaranteed, minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on Tuesday that will pay him $850,000 if he makes the major league club.
Perez went 8-11 with a 5.57 ERA in 26 starts for the Kansas City Royals last season. He threw 137 1/3 innings in 2007, more than all but one Nationals pitcher.
"He will be given an opportunity to make the team's starting rotation," general manager Jim Bowden said. "He gives us depth to protect us against injuries and depth to allow us to not have to rush a young starting pitcher who is not ready for the major leagues."
An All-Star in 2002, Perez is 66-70 with a 4.47 ERA over nine seasons with the Royals, Dodgers and Braves.
The 30-year-old Perez would give Washington a veteran in a mostly unproven rotation.
His contract includes incentives beginning at 20 games started.
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