Nationals sign Zach Duke to major league deal

Free agent pitcher Zach Duke agreed to re-sign with the Washington Nationals on Monday. Terms of the deal have not been released, but the contract is a major league deal and is believed to be for one year, according to the Washington Times.

Duke spent the 2012 season in the Nationals organization pitching at both the Major League and minor league level. He started 26 games in Triple-A before pitching out of the Nationals bullpen in September. Duke appeared in eight games for Washington last season, posting a 1.32 ERA over 13-2/3 innings.

His versatility should give the Nationals plenty of options next season. He could be used as a starter or injury fill-in or could take over the left-handed long relief role which Tom Gorzelanny filled last season. The Nationals non-tendered Gorzelanny last week and while they could still re-sign him, Duke gives them another option.

The 29-year-old Duke is entering his ninth Major League season. He spent the first six seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates.