What had been in the works for a few days now has been completed: Left-hander Odalis Perez has signed a minor-league contract with the Nats and will be coming to big-league camp with a chance to make the Opening Day rotation.

Perez, 30, went 8-11 with a 5.57 ERA in 26 starts for the Royals last season. He's hardly a big-name starter, and he's anything but a lock to make Washington's rotation, but he'll provide another option in case the club's young pitchers don't look like they're ready and/or guys like John Patterson and Shawn Hill don't look healthy.

"He will have an opportunity to compete for a spot in our rotation," Jim Bowden wrote in an email. "He gives us depth to protect us against injuries and also gives us depth so we are not forced to rush our young starters if they're not ready. Will he come back to his form of a few years ago? Not sure, but with Manny [Acta], Randy [St. Claire] and Jose Rijo ... if there is a chance of bouncing back at his young age, this is the environment for him to do it in."

If Perez makes the rotation, he'll earn $850,000.