Nationals non-tender John Lannan, pitcher is now a free agent

The Washington Nationals have non-tendered pitcher John Lannan, making the former opening-day starter a free agent.

Lannan pitched for six seasons in Washington, compiling a 42-52 record in 134 games with the club. He was the Nationals' opening day starter during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, starting at least 25 games for four consecutive years from 2008-2011. Only third baseman Ryan Zimmerman had been with the team longer than Lannan's six seasons.

However, Lannan was embroiled in controversy at the beginning of the 2012 season, becoming the highest paid player to ever be optioned to the minor leagues during spring training in the wake of Washington's acquisitions of Gio Gonzalez and Edwin Jackson. Lannan pitched most of the season for AAA Syracuse, being called up to replace Stephen Strasburg after the superstar was shut down for the latter part of the season. He started six games in September for Washington, going 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA down the stretch.

Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post is reporting that catcher Jesus Flores and pitcher Tom Gorzelanny will also be non-tendered by the Nationals. The non-tender of Flores was not unexpected, as the catcher batted .213 in 83 games for Washington last season. He spent a total of five seasons with the Nationals. Gorzelanny, a left-handed specialist, was in Washington for two seasons. He had a 2.88 ERA in 45 games last season.