Nationals sign Tony Gwynn Jr. to minor-league deal

The Washington Nationals signed outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training Monday night, bringing in another left-handed hitter who could compete for a job on the team’s bench. 

The 32-year-old has played for four teams in his eight-year major-league career, most recently with the Philadelphia Phillies. He played in 80 games last season, recording a .152 batting average, .264 on-base percentage and .190 slugging percentage in 105 at-bats. He is a career .238 hitter.

Gwynn Jr. is the son of Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn, known by many as “Mr. Padre.” The elder Gwynn was a 15-time all-star in San Diego and went on to coach at his alma mater, San Diego State, where he became a mentor for now-Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg. Gwynn died of salivary gland cancer last year. He was 54.

Gwynn Jr.’s chances of making the Nationals’ roster are unclear. He would provide a left-handed bat, good speed on the base paths and a quality defensive presence off the bench. But he would need to show serious improvement at the plate. He hasn’t finished a big-league season with an average above .250 in three years.

At the very least, Gwynn Jr. will help shore up a questionable spot in Washington’s lineup as left fielder Jayson Werth and reserve outfielder Nate McLouth each continue to recover from offseason shoulder surgery. Both players hope to be ready by Opening Day, but Gwynn Jr. could serve as a form of insurance if they are not.