VIERA, Fla. -- The Nationals agreed to terms on a non-guaranteed Minor League contract with right-hander Kip Wells on Wednesday. He is expected to serve as a starter and reliever during Spring Training.

Wells was with the Rockies and Royals last season, and he gave up a combined 26 earned runs in 37 2/3 innings. However, the Nationals feel he can be useful on the mound after watching him work out in Texas on Monday.

"He threw free and easy, and his stuff was still good," assistant general manager Mike Rizzo said. "It is a good low-risk Minor League deal. We are trying to improve ourselves in every way we can, so this is one of the ways to acquire players. We hope that [pitching coordinator] Spin Williams and [pitching coach] Randy St. Claire can straighten him out."

Wells, 31, is 65-94 with a 4.67 ERA in 256 games in 10 big league seasons. He has spent time with the White Sox, Pirates, Rangers, Cardinals, Rockies and Royals.

Wells won a career-high 12 games with Pittsburgh in 2002.