Minor league contract between Padres, Solis

The San Diego Padres agreed to a minor league contract with Sammy Solis on Monday, two days after the left-hander was stunned to be released by the Washington Nationals. The 30-year-old reliever must pass a physical for the deal to become official.

Solis struggled last season for the Nationals, going 1-2 with a 6.41 ERA in 56 appearances. Still, Solis was surprised to be released by Washington over the weekend after nine years with the organization.

"Yeah, I would say completely off-guard," Solis told reporters Saturday after packing his bags. "It's just obviously part of it. I've seen it happen to a million guys. ... I just really wasn't ready for that. But it's part of it." Solis is 5-7 with a 4.51 ERA in 141 appearances over four big league seasons.