"The Nationals have agreed to terms with veteran reliever Brad Lidge on a one-year deal, the team announced. Lidge gives the Nationals' bullpen, already one of the best in baseball, a right-hander with a devastating slider and mountains of experience, including recording the final out of the 2008 World Series.

Lidge, 35, was limited by a shoulder injury to 25 games last season with the Philadelphia Phillies. But in the 19 innings he pitched, Lidge allowed only three earned runs, striking out 23 and walking 13.

"Brad is one of the more interesting teammates I've had," said Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth, who played with Lidge in Philadelphia. "Not your average athlete. Very intelligent on and off the field. He will bring culture to our clubhouse, along with his nasty slider. Good guy, glad we got him. He will be a perfect fit for our young talented bullpen.""