Nationals Trade Catcher Koyie Hill to Phillies for PTBNL and Cash

The Washington Nationals announced this morning that 35-year-old, ten-year veteran catcher Koyie Hill, who signed a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training this past February, was reassigned to minor league camp after ten Grapefruit League games with the Nats in which the backstop was 5 for 13.

Additionally, INF Mike Fontenot, OF Brian Goodwin & C Koyie Hill were reassigned to Minor League camp. #Nats now have 44 players in MLB camp

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 17, 2014

This afternoon, however, according to a tweeted report by nationals.com writer Bill Ladson, the Nationals apparently traded Hill to their NL East rivals from Philadelphia:

The #Nationals have traded catcher Koyie Hill to the Phillies for a player to be named later or cash. #Nats #MLB

— William Ladson (@washingnats) March 17, 2014

When Hill signed in the first week of February, the Nationals had two young, relatively inexperienced backstops in Jhonatan Solano and Sandy Leon competing with veteran catcher Chris Snyder for the role as Wilson Ramos' backup.

Nine days later, the Nationals acquired Jose Lobaton from the Tampa Bay Rays, giving them a legitimate backup option should Ramos struggle with injury issues as he has in the past two seasons.

As MLB.com's Mr. Ladson reported, the Nationals received cash and a PTBNL from the Phillies in return for Hill.