MASNsports.com is your online home for the latest Orioles and Nationals news, features, and commentary. And now, you can connect with MASN on every digital level. From web and social media to our new mobile alert service, MASN has got all the bases covered.
Get the latest breaking news direct to your phone with our mobile texting service.
The Nationals agreed to a contract with left-hander John Lannan for the 2011 season on Monday, avoiding arbitration with the pitcher, who's headed into his fourth big-league season. Lannan's deal, according to an industry source, is worth $2.75 million.
Lannan, 26, has been the Nationals' Opening Day starter each of the last two seasons. He struggled early last year, getting optioned to Double-A Harrisburg in June, but came back to be one of the team's most effective pitchers in the last two months of the season. Lannan posted a 3.42 ERA in 11 starts, going 6-3 in those games and striking out 47 batters.
He'll be counted on to help anchor a rotation that will be without Stephen Strasburg for most of this season. At this point, Lannan and Livan Hernandez would seem the most likely options to start on Opening Day.
