Athletic sign RHP Schroder

Nov 20, 2008 - 12:49 AM OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Oakland Athletics on Wednesday added a piece to their bullpen puzzle by signing former Washington Nationals righthander Chris Schroder.

A minor league free agent, the 30-year-old Schroder was inked to a major league deal by the Athletics and placed on the 40-man roster.

Schroder spent the past three seasons bouncing back and forth between the Nationals' bullpen and the minor leagues, posting a 2-5 record with a 4.46 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 78 2/3 innings over 62 total appearances with Washington.

He made only four appearances in the majors in 2008, allowing three runs in five innings.

Schroder also went 5-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 43 games with Class AAA Columbus last season.

The A's are looking for arms to bridge the gap to closer Brad Ziegler after including righthander Huston Street in a trade last week that netted slugger Matt Holliday from the Colorado Rockies.