The Nationals have signed 28-year old lefty starting pitcher Chuck James to a minor league deal. He missed all of the 2009 season as he was rehabbing from rotator cuff and labrum surgery that he had in September 2008. James has now pitched in 64 games (55 starts) in his major league career and he is 24-19 with a 4.48 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Reports had James throwing 88-90 mph in his workout with the Nationals. James was a good pitcher not too long ago with the Braves so this was a risk worth taking.