Major League Baseball

Source: DeRosa to sign with Nats

Published Dec. 21, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

Ken Rosenthal

The Nationals continued adding to their bench Wednesday night, closing in on a one-year contract with free agent Mark DeRosa, according to a major-league source.

DeRosa, 36, will play a super-utility role with the Nats, joining another recent addition, free-agent outfielder Mike Cameron, among the team’s reserves.

The Nationals offer a new opportunity for DeRosa, who will be playing for his seventh team. He spent the past two seasons with the Giants, missing significant time due to a left-wrist injury that required two surgeries.

“It’s not like I’m looking for an everyday job, even though (playing) will be my goal going to the yard every day,” DeRosa said earlier this offseason.

“I just think I can be a difference-maker on a team, not only on the field, but in the clubhouse. I’ve been on a lot of winning clubs in my 13 years.”

DeRosa hit effectively after coming off the disabled list Aug. 5, batting .367/.439/.388 in 57 plate appearances.

“I battled back. I had a great September. I would like the opportunity for my career to continue,” DeRosa said.

"I just think the story is not finished yet."