Mike Stanton returned to the Washington Nationals on Saturday night, agreeing to a $1 million, one-year contract. The 38-year-old left-hander was signed by Washington on July 13, about two weeks after he was let go by the New York Yankees, and went 2-1 with a 3.58 ERA in 30 games with the Nationals. With four days left in the regular season, he was acquired by the Boston Red Sox for their season-ending series against the Yankees in exchange for minor league right-handers Rhys Taylor and Yader Peralta. Stanton was 1-2 with a 7.07 ERA for the Yankees last season and pitched one inning for the Red Sox. Overall, he stranded 34 of 42 inherited runners, sixth among relievers inheriting 40 runners or more, and he held left-handers to a .235 batting average with two extra-base hits, both doubles.