Nationals give Rasner one-year deal

It's pretty heady stuff for Darrell Rasner with dealing with what his role is in the Washington Nationals Major League Baseball organization.

When informed that the Nationals announced on Thursday that they agreed to a one-year deal for 2005 with Rasner, the 1999 Carson High graduate replied, "I signed a one-year contract? I have no idea what that means."

So it was a learning process for Rasner as he took one more step to realizing his dream of becoming a Major League pitcher. When it was announced that Rasner was given a contract for the 2005 season, the Nationals website also reported that he was expected to fight for a spot in the bullpen during spring training.

Last fall, the Nationals purchased the contract of Rasner from their Double A affiliate, the Harrisburg Senators, and placed them on their 40-man roster. It's standard procedure for teams to agree to one-year deals with players they have placed on their 40-man roster. Rasner's contract gives the Nationals the option of placing him on the 25-man Major League roster or sending him to the minor leagues.

When learning more about what the contract meant, Rasner said, "Sounds good to me."

Rasner will report to spring training in Brevard County, Fla., on Feb. 15. The Nationals also agreed to terms on a one-year deal for 2005 with another pitching prospect, Michael Hinckley on Thursday.

The Nationals website reported that Hinckley and Rasner were expected to fight for a spot in the bullpen during spring training. Even though he has spent his entire career as a starting pitcher, Rasner said he would obviously jump at the chance to make the club as a relief pitcher.

"That's nice to know," he said. "That's exciting. I'm happy to be even considered. I'll do anything to make the team. Whatever role it takes, I'll do. I'm open-minded."

Last season, Rasner, a right-handed, went a combined 7-6 with a 2.78 earned run average with Class A Brevard County and Harrisburg. He struck out 103 in 149 innings.

After graduating from Carson, Rasner went on to be a standout at the University of Nevada before being taken by the Nationals in the second round of the 2002 Major League draft.