WASHINGTON -- The Nationals have signed five players to Minor League contracts with an invitation to Major League Spring Training: Infielder Brandon Snyder, left-hander Braulio Lara, right-handers Derek Eitel and Dustin Antolin and infielder Corban Joseph have all been signed with a chance to compete for bench and bullpen spots in Washington next season.
Snyder, a former first-round Draft pick with the Orioles who attended high school in Virginia, has played in 120 career Major League games with four teams, most recently with the Braves in 2016. He is a career .242/.279/.459 hitter but knocked four home runs with a .907 OPS in 37 games last season in Atlanta. Snyder, who will turn 30 on Wednesday, has played the corner infield positions most often but also has some experience in the outfield.
Lara, 27, split time last season with the Giants' organization and in the Korea Baseball Organization. In 25 appearances at Triple-A Sacramento in 2016, he posted a 3.90 ERA with 25 strikeouts and 13 walks in 27 2/3 innings. He compiled a 6.70 ERA in 16 games (nine starts) for SK Wyverns.
Eitel, who turned 29 on Monday, pitched in 54 games last season for the Padres' Triple-A El Paso. He had a 3.67 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings.
Antolin, 27, spent the past nine seasons with the Blue Jays organization and made his Major League debut this year. He pitched two innings against the Rays on May 16 and surrendered three runs on four hits. He posted a 2.04 ERA in 46 games with Triple-A Buffalo, registering 10 saves and 61 strikeouts in 53 innings.
Joseph, 28, spent the 2016 season in the Orioles' organization where he hit .315/.369/.442 in 107 games between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. He has spent most of his time playing first and second base in his career, although he also has some experience at third, giving him potential as a utility infielder. He appeared in two Major League games in '13 as a member of the Yankees.