Nationals sign Micah Owings to minors deal
Micah Owings - 1B - Washington Nationals
Feb. 6, 2013 - 11:30 AM ET
Nationals signed 1B Micah Owings to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Since the Nationals called Owings a first baseman in their announcement, this would seem to indicate that he has officially given up on pitching. The 30-year-old threw 9 2/3 innings with the Padres last season before undergoing surgery on his right elbow. He owns a .283/.310/.502 batting line in the big leagues and has socked nine home runs in 219 plate appearances, so it's not inconceivable that he could eventually become a useful right-handed bat off the bench.