WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals announced Friday the team has signed first baseman/outfielder Matt Adams to a one-year contract.
The 29 year-old Adams hit a career-high 20 home runs in 2017, batting .274 with 65 RBI and 46 runs scored in 131 games for the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves. He also set new career-highs in slugging percentage (.522) and OPS (.841).
Adams is considered a valuable pinch hitter off the bench; his nine homers and 41 RBI as a pinch hitter are the most in the Major Leagues since he joined the league in 2012.
Adams is primarily a first baseman but played 19 games in left field last season, recording a .926 fielding percentage with only two errors.
The Adams signing brought the Nats’ 40-man roster to 39 players.