Nationals sign Kevin Jepsen to minor-league deal

The Nationals are signing reliever Kevin Jepsen to a minor-league deal, a major-league source told SB Nation on Wednesday. The deal includes an opt-out on July 26.

Jepsen, who has been rehabbing a quadriceps injury all year, worked out for clubs last week in Arizona. The righty has not pitched this season after being cut at the end of spring training by the Diamondbacks.

Jepsen, who turns 33 next month, posted a 5.98 ERA in 49.2 innings with the Rays and Twins last year before hitting free agency and agreeing to a minor-league deal with Arizona in mid-February.

Jepsen is the second veteran addition the Nats have made to their bullpen mix this week, as general manager Mike Rizzo also added Francisco Rodriguez on a minor-league deal. Though both Jepsen and Rodriguez have struggled in recent major-league stints, the hope for the Nationals is that they will be able to contribute to a group that has struggled mightily in the majors so far this year.

Jepsen is a veteran of nine major-league seasons with the Angels, Rays and Twins, owning a 3.92 ERA and 27 saves in exactly 400 innings of big-league work.