WASHINGTON — Reliever Matt Capps has reached a preliminary agreement on a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals.

His agent, Paul Kinzer, said the deal is subject to a physical that will take place in the first week of January.
The 26-year-old Capps became a free agent this month when the Pirates decided not to offer him a contract for 2010. The right-hander earned 27 saves in 2009, while going 4-8 with a 5.80 ERA. He struck out 46 batters in 54 1-3 innings.
Capps made his major league debut in 2005 and has career totals of 67 saves, a 19-19 record and 3.61 ERA, all with the Pirates.