Reed Johnson and Sean Burnett heading back to Nats spring training

By Josh Land

Nationals

November 16, 2015, 11:51am

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The Nationals announced this afternoon that they agreed to terms on minor league contracts with invitations to MLB spring training with left-hander Sean Burnett and outfielder Reed Johnson.

Burnett didn't pitch in 2015 after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery. Elbow injuries interfered with his previous two seasons in Anaheim where Burnett only made 16 appearances with a 1.74 ERA.

Nats Park day game.jpg Before that, Burnett spent four years with the Nationals from 2009-2012, going 8-15 with a 2.81 ERA in 245 relief appearances.

The 33-year-old Burnett was drafted by the Pirates in the first round in 2000 and entered the big leagues as a starting pitcher in 2004 before undergoing his first Tommy John surgery.

Johnson was signed by the Nationals at the end of spring training last March and made the opening day roster. However, he only played in 12 games, appearing mostly as a pinch-hitter, before tearing a tendon in his left foot after ripping an RBI double in the seventh inning of the Nats' 13-12 comeback win over the Braves on April 28.

The 38-year-old Johnson then broke a rib during his rehab assignment in August further delaying his return. He managed to play in five games at the end of the season for the Nats. Johnson slashed .227/.250/.273 in 24 plate appearances last year.

The 13-year veteran has batted .279/.335/.405 with 65 homers and 408 RBIs in his career, which includes stints with the Blue Jays, Cubs, Dodgers, Braves, Marlins and Nationals.