"The agreement has been signed," Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said. "We expect Odalis to honor his agreement with the club."

Bowden wouldn't say whether the Nationals have been in contact with Perez's agent.

The pitcher and the Nationals agreed to a non-guaranteed minor league contract Feb. 5; he would get $850,000 if he makes the major league club this season.

"We're trying to get a hold of him and find out about him being here," manager Manny Acta said. "I'm sure that guys don't want to miss the first reporting date, but until (Feb. 22), we don't make a big deal out of it."

Feb. 22 is the mandatory reporting date for major leaguers not on World Baseball Classic rosters. Players who don't report to spring training by then are subject to discipline. Perez was listed on the Dominican Republic's provisional roster; the mandatory reporting date for those players is Tuesday.

ESPN.com reported Monday that Perez wants to re-negotiate his deal.

"I prefer to sit in my house if the Nationals do not show more appreciation for my work," Perez said from the Dominican Republic, according to the Web site.

"Appreciate my work means to increase the value of the contract and guarantee it. I will not accept any minor league contracts with no safeguards. I instructed my agent to report my position to the Nationals," Perez told ESPN.com.

The left-hander went 7-12 with a 4.34 ERA for Washington in 2008, throwing 159 2-3 innings over 30 starts.

Perez joined the Nationals last year during spring training on a minor league deal and wound up as the team's starter on opening day.

The 31-year-old Perez is 73-82 with a 4.46 ERA in 10 major league seasons with four clubs.

Notes: RHP Daniel Cabrera reported to camp on time, but was allowed to return home Sunday to the Dominican Republic because his wife was scheduled to give birth Monday. "Family comes first," Acta said. ... During RHP Jason Bergmann's bullpen session Monday, he realized he needed to find out whether he's seen as a starter or a reliever, because the Nationals have used him in both roles. "They were like, 'Well, relievers, start finishing up.' And I'm like, 'What ... am I?"' Bergmann said. So he went over to Acta and asked. "I told him that he's looking to get a job as a middle reliever," Acta said. Bergmann's take: "It would be worse if they said they weren't going to consider me for anything, right?"

Washington Nationals News News » Nats expect no-show Perez to honor agreement
Nats expect no-show Perez to honor agreement
VIERA, Fla. (AP) - Left-hander Odalis Perez missed the first official workout for Washington Nationals pitchers and catchers at spring training Monday, reportedly because he isn't happy with his contract. MLB Spring Training