Mendez signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Wednesday, SB Nation's Chris Cotillo reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mendez spent the past year overseas with the Hanshin Tigers of the Japan Central League, but will return stateside on a minor-league deal for the upcoming season. In 2016 during his most recent appearance with an MLB organization, Mendez pitched in 32 games for Triple-A Pawtucket within the Red Sox's system, posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with a 59:27 K:BB in 64 innings. The right-hander has appeared in 45 major-league contests over his career, including 15 between Boston and the Rangers in 2015. Moving forward, he will serve as added depth for Washington's bullpen during the 2018 campaign.

Mendez pitched 5.1 innings this spring while posting an ERA of 10.31 and WHIP of 2.81.

EDGE Analysis

Mendez only appeared in five games for the Red Sox during the exhibition and he struggled through those chances. He was taken off the 40-man roster in December to make room for Chris Young, and Mendez will be in a continuous battle to regain that spot throughout the 2016 season while playing at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Mendez cleared waivers Monday and was outrighted to Triple-A Pawtucket, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mendez was removed from the 40-man roster to help make room for some of Boston's new offseason acquisitions, and he apparently didn't garner much interest on waivers. The 25-year-old could see some time in the big league bullpen next season, but he'll more likely serve as relief depth in the minors.

Mendez was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The Red Sox needed to make room on the 40-man roster for Chris Young, and Mendez was the odd man out after being claimed off waivers by Boston in September. He pitched decently in Triple-A last season in the Rangers' organization with a 2.78 ERA, but he had trouble translating it to the majors, as his ERA got up to 5.27.

Mendez was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, John Blake of the Rangers' official site reports. Mendez will replace the struggling Ross Detwiler in a middle/long-relief role. Although he doesn't offer much long-term upside, Mendez should make for a better mop-up man than Detwiler did.

Mendez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Mendez experienced some early struggles out of the bullpen, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.54 WHIP with only a 9:7 K:BB ratio through 11.2 innings. He'll be sent down to clear room on the roster for Spencer Patton, who was called up in a corresponding move.

Mendez tossed a scoreless inning during Friday's loss to the Angels. He needed just 10 pitches to get through the inning. Mendez has been limited to low leverage situations this season, but he's posted an 8:3 K:BB over eight innings while allowing two runs on five hits thus far.

Rangers recalled RHP Roman Mendez from Triple-A Round Rock. Mendez, 23, owns a 4.02 ERA and 30/12 K/BB ratio over 31 1/3 innings this season in Triple-A. He'll pitch in middle relief.

Rangers optioned RHP Roman Mendez to Double-A Frisco. The 23-year-old never had a real chance to make the Opening Day roster. Mendez needs to make up for lost time after being limited to just 24 2/3 innings last season due to a stress fracture in his elbow.

Rangers prospect right-hander Roman Mendez will miss the rest of the season with a stress fracture in his elbow. Tough break for Mendez, who had the very same injury last year. Acquired from the Red Sox in the Jarrod Saltalamacchia deal, the 22-year-old had a 1.82 ERA, two saves and a 24/11 K/BB ratio over 24 2/3 innings this season in Double-A.