Reliever Sean Burnett and the Washington Nationals agreed Thursday on a $3.95 million, two-year contract with a mutual option for 2013, avoiding salary arbitration. The lefthander went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.14 ERA in 73 appearances in 2010.

The Colorado Rockies bolstered their bullpen by acquiring righthanded reliever Matt Lindstrom from the Houston Astros for minor-league pitchers Wes Musick and Jonnathan Aristil.

The Arizona Diamondbacks sold utility man Rusty Ryal to the Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese League. The 27-year-old Ryal hit .261 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 104 games with the Diamondbacks last season.

LACROSSE: The Wings signed Athan Iannucci to a one-year deal. Iannucci returns to the Wings after missing the 2010 National Lacrosse League season with a knee injury.

Iannucci played in 10 games for the Wings in 2009 and accumulated 37 points (23 goals, 14 assists).

Besides Iannucci, players returning include Ardmore’s John Christmas; Ridley High grad Bill McGlone, who ended the 2010 season with 35 points (19 goals, 16 assists); and Drew Westervelt, who had 72 points (32 goals, 40 assists) in 2010.

New players include U.S. national team players Brendan Mundorf and Ryan Boyle.

The Wings will open their 2011 NLL season at 7 p.m. on Jan. 8 against Boston at the Wells Fargo Center.

BASKETBALL: The lawyer for WNBA standout Diana Taurasi told the Associated Press that the former Connecticut star has tested positive for a mild stimulant while playing in a pro league in Turkey.

Howard Jacobs said that Taurasi’s A sample came back positive from a lab and she was provisionally suspended by the league. Taurasi has asked that her B sample be tested.

Jacobs said the substance “was not a steroid or recreational drug” – however, he refused to identify it.

The Phoenix Mercury star already has missed the last three games with Fenerbahce, her team in Turkey.

SOCCER: Inter Milan parted ways with manager Rafael Benitez after just six months. Inter has struggled to reproduce the form that saw the club win the Champions League and Serie A under Jose Mourinho last season. Mourinho left for Real Madrid.

A statement issued by Inter said that the two parties had agreed to an early cancellation of the contract, although it is widely believed that Benitez had no option.

English second-tier club Nottingham Forest announced the signing of American forward Robbie Findley, pending a work permit. The 25-year-old Findley was a free agent after leaving Real Salt Lake at the end of the MLS season.

Goalkeeper Matt Reis agreed to a new contract with the New England Revolution of MLS.

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, 40, will retire at the end of the season, club manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed.

BOXING: Mexico’s Hugo Cazares beat Japan’s Hiroyuki Hisataka by unanimous decision in Osaka to retain his WBA super flyweight title.

- Staff and wire reports

WASHINGTON (AP) — Left-handed reliever Sean Burnett and the Washington Nationals agreed Thursday on a two-year, $3.95 million contract with a mutual option for 2013, avoiding salary arbitration.

Burnett went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.14 ERA in 73 appearances in 2010, part of a wholly rebuilt bullpen that morphed from one of Washington’s biggest weaknesses to a strength last season.

He was acquired in June 2009 from the Pirates in a trade that also brought center fielder Nyjer Morgan to Washington and sent reliever Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to Pittsburgh.

The 28-year-old Burnett is 9-16 with four saves and a 3.80 ERA in four major league seasons.

His deal pays $1.4 million next season and $2.3 million in 2012. There is a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $250,000 buyout; if the club exercises the option and he declines, there’s no buyout.

The contract also includes the possibility of earning up to $500,000 each season in performance bonuses based on games finished. If Burnett finishes 35 games, he gets $100,000; for 45, another $150,000; and for 55, another $250,000.

Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The Washington Nationals inked pitcher Sean Burnett to a two-year contract extension on Thursday.

Washington, DC (Sports Network) – The Washington Nationals inked pitcher Sean Burnett to a two-year contract extension on Thursday.

The 28-year-old left-hander is in line to earn $1.4 million including as $100,000 signing bonus next season, and $2.3 million in 2012. There is also a mutual option for the 2013 campaign.

Burnett was just 1-7 in 73 games last season for the Nats, but posted the second-best earned-run average on the Washington staff at 2.14.

Over four major-league seasons with the Pirates and Nationals, Burnett is 9-16 with a 3.80 ERA in 215 games (13 starts).

© 2010 The Sports Network

WASHINGTON — Left-handed reliever Sean Burnett and the Washington Nationals agreed Thursday on a $3.95 million, two-year contract with a mutual option for 2013, avoiding salary arbitration.

Burnett went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.14 ERA in 73 appearances in 2010, part of a wholly rebuilt bullpen that morphed from one of Washington’s biggest weaknesses to a strength last season.

He was acquired in June 2009 from the Pirates in a trade that also brought center fielder Nyjer Morgan to Washington and sent reliever Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to Pittsburgh.

The 28-year-old Burnett is 9-16 with four saves and a 3.80 ERA in four major-league seasons.

His deal pays $1.4 million next season and $2.3 million in 2012. There is a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $250,000 buyout; if the club exercises the option and he declines, there’s no buyout.

The contract also includes the possibility of earning up to $500,000 each season in performance bonuses based on games finished. If Burnett finishes 35 games, he gets $100,000; for 45, another $150,000; and for 55, another $250,000.

The Nationals also announced that left-hander Aaron Thompson was claimed off outright waivers by the Pirates. Thompson came to Washington in the July 2009 trade-deadline deal that sent Nick Johnson to the Florida Marlins. In 2010, he went 4-13 with a 5.80 ERA in 26 starts at Double-A Harrisburg, and 1-0 in one start at Triple-A Syracuse.

WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals have agreed with left-handed reliever Sean Burnett on a $3.95 million, two-year contract with a mutual option for 2013, avoiding salary arbitration.

Burnett went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.14 ERA in 73 appearances in 2010.

He was acquired in June 2009 from the Pittsburgh Pirates in a trade that also brought center fielder Nyjer Morgan to Washington and sent reliever Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to Pittsburgh.

The 28-year-old Burnett is 9-16 with four saves and a 3.80 ERA in four major league seasons.

His deal pays $1.4 million next season and $2.3 million in 2012. There is a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $250,000 buyout; if the club exercises the option and he declines, there’s no buyout.

The contract also includes the possibility of earning up to $500,000 each season in performance bonuses based on games finished. If Burnett finishes 35 games, he gets $100,000; for 45, another $150,000; and for 55, another $250,000.

Later Thursday, the Nationals announced that left-hander Aaron Thompson was claimed off outright waivers by the Pirates. Thompson came to Washington in the July 2009 trade deadline deal that sent Nick Johnson to the Florida Marlins. In 2010, he went 4-13 with a 5.80 ERA in 26 starts at Double-A Harrisburg and 1-0 in one start at Triple-A Syracuse.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Nationals pitcher Sean Burnett went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.l4 ERA in 73 appearances in 2010. (Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press)

Left-handed reliever Sean Burnett and the Washington Nationals agreed Thursday on a two-year, $3.95 million US contract with a mutual option for 2013, avoiding salary arbitration.

Burnett went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.l4 earned-run average in 73 appearances in 2010, part of a wholly rebuilt bullpen that morphed from one of Washington’s biggest weaknesses to a strength last season.

He was acquired in June 2009 from the Pirates in a trade that also brought center fielder Nyjer Morgan to Washington and sent reliever Joel Hanrahan and outfielder Lastings Milledge to Pittsburgh.

The 28-year-old Burnett is 9-16 with four saves and a 3.80 ERA in four major league seasons.

His deal pays $1.4 million next season and $2.3 million in 2012. There is a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $250,000 buyout; if the club exercises the option and he declines, there’s no buyout.

The contract also includes the possibility of earning up to $500,000 each season in performance bonuses based on games finished. If Burnett finishes 35 games, he gets $100,000; for 45, another $150,000; and for 55, another $250,000.

WASHINGTON (AP)—Left-handed reliever Sean Burnett(notes) and the Washington Nationals agreed Thursday on a $3.95 million, two-year contract with a mutual option for 2013, avoiding salary arbitration.

Burnett went 1-7 with three saves and a 2.14 ERA in 73 appearances in 2010, part of a wholly rebuilt bullpen that morphed from one of Washington’s biggest weaknesses to a strength last season.

He was acquired in June 2009 from the Pirates in a trade that also brought center fielder Nyjer Morgan(notes) to Washington and sent reliever Joel Hanrahan(notes) and outfielder Lastings Milledge(notes) to Pittsburgh.

The 28-year-old Burnett is 9-16 with four saves and a 3.80 ERA in four major league seasons.

His deal pays $1.4 million next season and $2.3 million in 2012. There is a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $250,000 buyout; if the club exercises the option and he declines, there’s no buyout.

The contract also includes the possibility of earning up to $500,000 each season in performance bonuses based on games finished. If Burnett finishes 35 games, he gets $100,000; for 45, another $150,000; and for 55, another $250,000.

NOTE: The Nationals announced that left-hander Aaron Thompson was claimed off outright waivers by the Pirates. Thompson came to Washington in the July 2009 trade-deadline deal that sent Nick Johnson(notes) to the Florida Marlins. In 2010, he went 4-13 with a 5.80 ERA in 26 starts at Double-A Harrisburg, and 1-0 in one start at Triple-A Syracuse.

The Washington Nationals took time out on Sunday to talk to free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano(notes) about joining the team, MLB.com reports. Pavano won 17 games for the Minnesota Twins last season. 

The Nats were considered frontrunners to sign free-agent pitcher Brandon Webb(notes), but the site reports that the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers have “jumped ahead” of the Nationals.

Meanwhile, Washington is also trying to get a first baseman signed to replace the departed Adam Dunn(notes) and MLB.com reports that Derrek Lee(notes) is getting all of the team’s attention there.

Let the rumors come to you. Follow Scoop du Jour on Twitter or Facebook.

Source: MLB.com

Related: Carl Pavano, Adam Dunn, Brandon Webb, Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals

WASHINGTON | Stephen Strasburg says his rehabilitation is “on track” and he hopes to start throwing a few weeks before spring training.

“It’s going great right now,” the Washington Nationals pitcher said Monday during a telephone conference call from San Diego. “I’ve been making big strides.”

Strasburg’s sensational rookie season was cut short by reconstructive elbow surgery in September. He said he’s getting physical therapy three times a week, in sessions of two to three hours, and that he’ll emerge “probably in a lot better shape” than he ever was.

Strasburg said he will see his doctor after the holidays to get an indication of when he can start throwing. He’ll continue to work out near his San Diego home, hoping to get in a few weeks of throwing before rejoining the Nationals when pitchers and catchers report for spring training in February.

Strasburg went 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 12 starts this year, including 14 strikeouts in his major league debut.

He said part of his therapy involves work with his shoulder because previous cases have shown that shoulder problems can follow after the elbow is healed.

“We don’t want that to happen, obviously,” Strasburg said, “so we’re strengthening up everything.”

 

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

WASHINGTON — Stephen Strasburg says his rehabilitation is “on track” and he hopes to start throwing a few weeks before spring training.

“It’s going great right now,” the Washington Nationals pitcher said Monday during a telephone conference call from San Diego. “I’ve been making big strides.”

Strasburg’s sensational rookie season was cut short by reconstructive elbow surgery in September. He said he’s getting physical therapy three times a week, in sessions of two to three hours and that he’ll emerge “probably in a lot better shape” than he ever was.

Strasburg said he will see his doctor after the holidays to get an indication of when he can start throwing. He’ll continue to work out near his San Diego home, hoping to get in a few weeks of throwing before rejoining the Nationals when pitchers and catchers report for spring training in February.

Strasburg went 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 12 starts this year, including 14 strikeouts in his major league debut.

He said part of his therapy involves work with his shoulder because previous cases have shown that shoulder problems can follow after the elbow is healed.

“We don’t want that to happen, obviously,” Strasburg said, “so we’re strengthening up everything.”

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)—Stephen Strasburg(notes) says his rehabilitation is “on track” and he hopes to start throwing a few weeks before spring training.

“It’s going great right now,” the Washington Nationals pitcher said Monday during a telephone conference call from San Diego. “I’ve been making big strides.”

Strasburg’s sensational rookie season was cut short by reconstructive elbow surgery in September. He said he’s getting physical therapy three times a week, in sessions of two to three hours, and that he’ll emerge “probably in a lot better shape” than he ever was.

Strasburg said he will see his doctor after the holidays to get an indication of when he can start throwing. He’ll continue to work out near his San Diego home, hoping to get in a few weeks of throwing before rejoining the Nationals when pitchers and catchers report for spring training in February.

Strasburg went 5-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 12 starts this year, including 14 strikeouts in his major league debut.

He said part of his therapy involves work with his shoulder because previous cases have shown that shoulder problems can follow after the elbow is healed.

“We don’t want that to happen, obviously,” Strasburg said, “so we’re strengthening up everything.”

WASHINGTON — Outfielder Rick Ankiel and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract.

The deal announced Monday includes $1.25 million in performance bonuses: $200,000 each for 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 plate appearances, and $250,000 for 375.

The 30-year-old left-handed hitter batted .232 with six homers and 24 RBI this year with Kansas City and Atlanta.

His best season came in 2008, when he hit 25 homers and batted .264 with St. Louis.

The former pitcher is a career .248 hitter with 55 home runs and 181 RBI.

WASHINGTON — Outfielder Rick Ankiel and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract.

The deal announced Monday includes $1.25 million in performance bonuses: $200,000 each for 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 plate appearances, and $250,000 for 375.

The outfielder, who finished last season with the Atlanta Braves, will reportedly have a chance to compete with Roger Bernadina for the left field job after Josh Willingham was traded to the Oakland Athletics last week.

The 31-year-old left-handed hitter batted .232 with six homers and 24 RBIs this year with Kansas City and Atlanta.

His best season came in 2008, when he hit 25 homers and batted .264 with St. Louis.

The former pitcher is a career .248 hitter with 55 home runs and 181 RBIs.

Washington also agreed to a one-year deal with with right-hander Ryan Mattheus and to minor league contracts with right-handers Joe Bisenius and Tim Wood; first baseman Michael Aubrey; infielder Brian Bixler; and outfielders Jeff Frazier and Jonathan Van Every.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

WASHINGTON (AP)—Outfielder Rick Ankiel(notes) and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract.

The deal announced Monday includes $1.25 million in performance bonuses: $200,000 each for 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 plate appearances, and $250,000 for 375.

The 30-year-old left-handed hitter batted .232 with six homers and 24 RBIs this year with Kansas City and Atlanta.

His best season came in 2008, when he hit 25 homers and batted .264 with St. Louis.

The former pitcher is a career .248 hitter with 55 home runs and 181 RBIs.

The Washington Nationals have reportedly signed outfielder Rick Ankiel to a one-year contract.

Washington, DC (Sports Network) – The Washington Nationals have reportedly signed outfielder Rick Ankiel to a one-year contract.

The signing will be made official once Ankiel passes a physical, according to MLB.com.

Ankiel hit a combined .232 with six home runs and 24 RBI with Kansas City and Atlanta last season. He missed part of the season because of a hamstring injury.

The 31-year-old began his big league career as a left-handed pitcher for the Cardinals and was the runner up for the National League Rookie of the Year in 2000. However, the wheels came off for him in the 2000 postseason, when he walked four and threw five wild pitches in the third inning of Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves before struggling again in a start against the Mets in the NLCS.

Knee and elbow injuries shortly thereafter led to his decision to abandon pitching. Surprisingly, he returned to the Cardinals as an outfielder and made his debut for St. Louis in the field towards the end of the 2007 campaign.

For his career, the former hurler is a .248 hitter and has 55 home runs to go along with 181 RBI.

© 2010 The Sports Network

WASHINGTON — Outfielder Rick Ankiel and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a $1.5 million, one-year contract.

The deal announced Monday includes $1.25 million in performance bonuses: $200,000 each for 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 plate appearances, and $250,000 for 375.

The outfielder, who finished last season with the Atlanta Braves, will reportedly have a chance to compete with Roger Bernadina for the left field job after Josh Willingham was traded to the Oakland Athletics last week.

The 31-year-old left-handed hitter batted .232 with six homers and 24 RBIs this year with Kansas City and Atlanta.

His best season came in 2008, when he hit 25 homers and batted .264 with St. Louis.

The former pitcher is a career .248 hitter with 55 home runs and 181 RBIs.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Chad Gaudin on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

The 27-year-old Gaudin is 35-39 with a 4.61 ERA in 258 games, including 75 starts, over eight seasons with the New York Yankees, Oakland, San Diego, the Chicago Cubs, Toronto and Tampa Bay.

He split time with Oakland and the Yankees last year, going 1-4 with a 5.65 ERA in 42 relief appearances.

Gaudin tied for the American League lead with 34 starts in 2007, going 11-13 with a 4.42 ERA with Oakland.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Chad Gaudin on a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

The 27-year-old Gaudin is 35-39 with a 4.61 ERA in 258 games, including 75 starts, over eight seasons with the New York Yankees, Oakland, San Diego, the Chicago Cubs, Toronto and Tampa Bay.

He split time with Oakland and the Yankees last year, going 1-4 with a 5.65 ERA in 42 relief appearances.

Gaudin tied for the American League lead with 34 starts in 2007, going 11-13 with a 4.42 ERA with Oakland.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP)—The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Chad Gaudin(notes) on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

The 27-year-old Gaudin is 35-39 with a 4.61 ERA in 258 games, including 75 starts, over eight seasons with the New York Yankees, Oakland, San Diego, the Chicago Cubs, Toronto and Tampa Bay.

He split time with Oakland and the Yankees last year, going 1-4 with a 5.65 ERA in 42 relief appearances.

Gaudin tied for the American League lead with 34 starts in 2007, going 11-13 with a 4.42 ERA with Oakland.

WASHINGTON (AP)—The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Chad Gaudin(notes) on a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training.

The 27-year-old Gaudin is 35-39 with a 4.61 ERA in 258 games, including 75 starts, over eight seasons with the New York Yankees, Oakland, San Diego, the Chicago Cubs, Toronto and Tampa Bay.

He split time with Oakland and the Yankees last year, going 1-4 with a 5.65 ERA in 42 relief appearances.

Gaudin tied for the American League lead with 34 starts in 2007, going 11-13 with a 4.42 ERA with Oakland.