"The Nationals signed outfielder Rick Ankiel to a minor league contract, a person with knowledge of the agreement said, adding depth to Washington's thin center field competition with a player who performed well for them when healthy in 2011.

Ankiel, 32, hit .239/.296/.363 for the Nationals last season while serving two stints on the disabled list. Ankiel became a popular clubhouse figure and, more important, played outstanding defense in center, where he displayed one of the best outfield arms in the league. "