Nationals re-signed OF Jason Michaels to a minor league contract. Michaels will also serve as a hitting coach for the Nats' minor leaguers. He batted just .202/.265/.288 in 113 plate appearances last season at Triple-A Syracuse.

Nationals signed OF Jason Michaels to a minor league contract. Michaels will open the 2012 regular season with Triple-A Syracuse. He failed to win a spot on the Nationals' Opening Day roster this spring after going 9-for-41 (.220).

According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, the Nationals are close to re-signing Jason Michaels. Michaels was released on Tuesday after exercising the opt-out clause in his contract. He would likely start the season with Triple-A Syracuse.

The Nationals are hoping to re-sign Jason Michaels. Michaels was released Thursday after exercising the opt-out clause in his contract, but evidently the Nats haven't shut the door on him returning under a new deal. The veteran batted just .220 (9-for-41) this spring.

Nationals released OF Jason Michaels. Michaels was reassigned to minor league camp earlier Thursday, then used the opt-out clause in his contract. The 35-year-old will try to latch on with another club.

Nationals reassigned OF Jason Michaels to minor league camp. Michaels indicated as much to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, but the move is now official. The 35-year-old outfielder has an opt-out clause in his minor league contract, but is willing to open the season with Triple-A Syracuse.

Jason Michaels told Bill Ladson of MLB.com that he won't make the Nationals' Opening Day roster. Michaels, a non-roster invitee, is batting just .220 (9-for-41) with one home run and seven RBI this spring. The 35-year-old outfielder has expressed a willingness to open the season with Triple-A Syracuse.

Nationals signed OF Jason Michaels to a minor league contract. The deal presumably includes an invite to spring training. Michaels, 35, batted just .199/.256/.295 with two home runs and 10 RBI over 169 plate appearances with the Astros in 2011 and underwent season-ending surgery on his left hand in September. He'll try to win a spot as a reserve outfielder.

Jason Michaels (hand) will undergo season-ending surgery on his left hand Wednesday. Michaels broke his left hand while making a diving catch during Tuesday's win over the Phillies. The impending free agent batted just .199/.256/.295 with two home runs and 10 RBI over 169 plate appearances this season.

Jason Michaels singled in Humberto Quintero in the bottom of the 11th to give the Astros a 3-2 win over the Nationals on Wednesday. It looked like Brad Mills decision not to pinch-run for Quintero might haunt the Astros after Quintero failed to score from second on a groundball single into center with one out in the 11th. The backup catcher was still on the bench, and anyone with close to average speed would have scored on the play. Michaels, though, came through with a game-winning single immediately afterwards. It gave the Astros back-to-back victories for the first time since June 17-18.