Lefty Pérez Signs for a Shot at Rotation

VIERA, Fla., Feb. 19 -- The Washington Nationals signed veteran left-hander Odalis Pérez to a non-guaranteed minor league contract on Tuesday, adding some depth to a starting rotation full of talent and promise but still short on sure things.

Pérez, 30, will receive $850,000 if he makes the Nationals' roster, with additional incentives based on number of games started, beginning with 20.

"This guy is here to compete for a spot," said Nationals Manager Manny Acta, who managed Pérez in the Dominican Republic winter league and again in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. "The fact is, we have some guys coming back from injuries, and we want to be covered."

Pérez chose the Nationals over the Boston Red Sox, who also offered a non-guaranteed minor league deal. He was 8-11 with a 5.57 ERA in 26 starts last season for the Kansas City Royals, and is 66-70 with a 4.47 ERA in parts of nine big league seasons. He was an all-star in 2002, when he went 15-10 with a 3.00 ERA for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"Will he come back to his form of a few years ago?" General Manager Jim Bowden said, who has made attempts at getting Pérez in the past. "Not sure but . . . if there is a chance of bouncing back at his young age, this is the environment for him to do it in."

Dukes Set to Report

Outfielder Elijah Dukes, whose acquisition in December created a stir owing to Dukes's troubled past, is expected to report to camp on time Wednesday and meet with reporters on Thursday. Dukes, 23, has not spoken publicly since the Nationals acquired him from Tampa Bay.

"The kid is eager to start a new career in a new place with new teammates," said Acta, who saw Dukes work out three weeks ago in Orlando. "But there's a ways to go in spring training, and I really, really hope things work out for us because he's very talented."

Team President Stan Kasten is planning to fly in from Washington for Dukes's arrival -- another indication of how much effort and how many resources the team is putting into the project. . . .

Catcher Paul Lo Duca, who is out while recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, had hoped to catch some bullpen sessions while sitting on a milk crate, but the team nixed the idea. . . .

Bowden unveiled his new spring training mode of transportation Tuesday -- a bright red Segway festooned with at least nine curly W logos and several Washington Nationals logos. "I've already gotten a couple of speeding tickets on this thing," he joked. . . .

Seven pitchers and catchers remained away from camp because of visa problems in their home countries, although several of them -- including reliever Luis Ayala and catcher Jes¿s Flores -- are expected in the next couple of days.