Nationals Sign Jason Michaels As Player, Minor League Hitting Coach

The Nationals have signed outfielder Jason Michaels as a player and minor league hitting coach, according to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson. Michaels spent 2012 with the Nationals AAA affiliate, hitting .202 at Syracuse while seeing time at left and right field.

Washington Nationals outfield Jason Michaels in the dugout prior to the game against the Houston Astros at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

The 36-year-old last played in the major leagues with the Astros in 2011, hitting .199 in 169 plate appearances, and has also spent time with Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Philadelphia.

It’s all about adding depth, and bringing in a veteran player that can help mentor some of the younger players in minor league camp is never a bad thing. Michaels has big-league experience, which is something that not all the coaches on the staff can offer the minor leaguers. Michaels will join the likes of veteran pitchers Bill Bray and Will Ohman after both lefties got re-assigned to minor league camp yesterday.