Wang goes to Washington
Former Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang and the Nationals reached an agreement on a $2 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations said.
The deal includes the chance to earn $3 million in performance bonuses, the person said.
The Nationals planned to announce the deal during a news conference Friday.
Wang, a right-hander who turns 30 on March 31, had spent his entire five-year major league career with the Yankees, who allowed him to become a free agent in December.
He made $5 million last year, when he was 1-6 with a 9.64 ERA and his season was cut short by shoulder surgery on July 29. He is not expected to be able to pitch until sometime between April and June.
He missed the final 3½ months of the 2008 season, then allowed 23 runs in six innings over three starts when he returned last season. He went back on the disabled list, returned in late May to make three relief appearances and six starts before his season was ended by shoulder pain.
Former Yankees reliever Brian Bruney is seeking a raise from $1.25 million to $1.85 million in arbitration with the Nationals. The team argued that he should be paid $1.5 million.
RANGERS: Former Mets outfielder Endy Chavez agreed to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. Chavez is recovering from knee surgery last July and is not expected to be fully healthy for the start of the regular season. If he is added to the 40-man roster, he would get a $1 million, one-year contract.
BRAVES: Right-hander Jair Jurrjens was scheduled for a scan today in Atlanta to determine the cause of soreness in his right shoulder. Jurrjens could enter the season as the team’s No. 1 starter after going 14-10 with a 2.60 ERA last year, the third-best ERA in the NL. Braves general manager Frank Wren said the scan is precautionary and Jurrjens could return to Florida after the exam “if everything is OK.”
MARLINS: Outfielder Cody Ross won his arbitration case and will make $4.45 million rather than the team’s offer of $4.2 million. Ross hit .290 with 24 homers and 90 RBIs last season, when he made $2.3 million. Players lead owners 2-1 in cases decided thus far.
ORIOLES: Right-hander Brad Bergesen will be slowed at the start of spring training after straining his right shoulder while filming a promotional spot for the team in December, an injury that caused the Orioles to institute a new policy regarding commercial shoots. “He just did too much, too soon,” said Andy MacPhail, the club president of baseball operations.


