From the Athletics:

Chris Schroder, a veteran right-handed reliever who pitched for the Washington Nationals the past three seasons, has signed a major league contract with the Oakland Athletics, the club announced today.

The A’s also announced that they have selected RHP Ryan Webb to their 40-man roster. His addition increases the team’s total to 39 players on the current 40-man roster.

Schroder, a minor league free agent, is a 30-year-old relief specialist who posted a 2-5 mark and 4.46 ERA in 62 major league career appearances with Washington in 2006-08. The 6-1, 210-pound Okarche, Okla. native saw limited duty with the Nationals last season, recording a 0-0 mark with a 5.40 ERA in 5.0 innings over four relief outings. He also went 5-4 with a 3.97 ERA in 43 appearances with Washington’s Triple-A affiliate Columbus last year.

A former 19th round selection by the Nationals in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft, Schroder enjoyed his best big league season to date in 2007 when he reeled off a 3.18 ERA and allowed only 36 hits in 45.1 innings over 37 relief appearances, striking out 43 while walking 15 batters and registering a 2-3 record. He has proven to be quite tough on right-handed hitters during his major league career, limiting them to a .193 batting average (34 for 176) over the past three seasons.

Webb, a 22-year-old starting pitcher in the A’s minor league system, earned a 9-8 record and 5.19 ERA in 25 games, 22 starts, for Double-A Midland in 2008. He struck out 94, walked 44 and allowed 165 hits in 130 innings for Midland.

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