Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Left-handed reliever Will Ohman has joined the Washington Nationals on a minor league contract, the team announced Monday.

The deal includes an invitation to spring training.

A veteran of nine major league seasons with six different teams, Ohman spent the last two years with the Chicago White Sox but struggled in 32 appearances during 2012, registering a 6.41 earned run average while surrendering six home runs in just 26 2/3 innings pitched.

Ohman did limit left-handed hitters to just a .186 batting average last season, however, and has held fellow southpaws to a .210 clip over the course of his career.

The 35-year-old, expected to compete with Bill Bray and Zach Duke for a lefty specialist role in the spring, owns a 12-16 record with a 4.28 ERA over 483 lifetime games with the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta, Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore, the Marlins and White Sox.

02/11 15:55:06 ET