The Nationals selected Franco's contract ahead of Thursday's season opener versus the Mets.
The transaction is merely procedural, as it became apparent Franco would begin the season as Washington's everyday third baseman early in spring training, when Carter Kieboom suffered a forearm injury that will likely sideline him for multiple months. Franco solidified the job by provided three extra-base hits -- including two home runs -- across 12 Grapefruit League games, and he could be a solid source of power while he's locked into a full-time role for the Nationals. The 29-year-old offers little fantasy appeal beyond his power numbers, however, since he's a lifetime .246 hitter and has recorded only four stolen bases over 820 career big-league games.