Report: Nationals, Fister haven't discussed extension in months

Though the Washington Nationals remain interested in signing Doug Fister to a contract extension, the club hasn't approached the veteran right-hander to work out a new deal for months, according to James Wagner of the Washington Post.

General manager Mike Rizzo said in October that brokering an extension with Fister remains one of his offseason priorities, but no progress has been made since the two proved unable to agree to terms when the club first broached extension talks last winter.

Fister is reportedly interested in remaining with the Nationals beyond next season, but the 30-year-old could be inclined to test free agency if a deal isn't consummated within the next few months.

Acquired from the Detroit Tigers last offseason, Fister thrived in his first season with the Nationals, crafting a career-best 2.41 ERA (155 ERA+) over 25 starts while fashioning a 4.08 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 164 innings. Fister is projected to earn at least $11 million through arbitration next season, and represents one of three players on the verge of free agency - along with Jordan Zimmermann and Ian Desmond - with whom the Nationals would like to work out extensions.