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Washington Nationals reach one-year deal with Steve Cishek, source confirms

The Washington Nationals are signing right-handed reliever Steve Cishek to a one-year contract, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Cishek, a side-arm-throwing, sinkerballing reliever, spent the 2021 season with the Los Angeles Angels, making 74 appearances with a 3.42 ERA and a record of 0-2.

He brings some much-needed, late-inning veteran experience to a Nationals bullpen that has been torn down as part of the team's rebuild.

Washington is coming off a 65-97 record and last-place finish in the National League East. General manager Mike Rizzo began a serious reconfiguration of the roster around the trade deadline, sending away players such as Max Scherzer, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber.

The Nationals also traded relievers Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson during the season and announced in November that they had non-tendered relievers Ryne Harper and Wander Suero.

Cishek, 35, is 32-39 with 132 saves and a 2.85 ERA in 12 major league seasons. He has also played for the Marlins (2010-15), Cardinals (2015), Mariners (2016-17), Rays (2017), Cubs (2018-19) and White Sox (2020).

The Athletic first reported on Cishek's signing.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.