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The Washington Nationals announced another addition to their expanded roster this afternoon. The Nats recalled 26-year-old infielder/outfielder Jeff Kobernus, giving them 32 players on their active roster. Kobernus, an '09 2nd Round pick, made his major league debut last season, going 5 for 30 with a home run and three stolen bases in limited action with the Nationals.
Kobernus missed significant time earlier this season after suffering a fractured left hand in April.
In his sixth season in the Nationals' system, Kobernus spent the majority of the 2014 campaign at Triple-A Syracuse, putting up a .257/.338/.359 line with 13 doubles, two home runs and 15 stolen bases in 59 games and 235 PAs after putting up a .318/.366/.388 line in 95 games and 412 PAs at Triple-A in 2013.
Kobernus joins Tyler Moore, Steven Souza, Sandy Leon, Xavier Cedeno, Aaron Barrett and Blake Treinen on the list of September call-ups.
The #Nats have recalled INF/OF Jeff Kobernus, giving them 32 players on the active roster.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 5, 2014
Nats' skipper Matt Williams was asked in an MLB Network Radio interview this morning how he's going about using those players the Nationals do call up for the final month of the regular season.
"You want to keep them sharp," Williams said. "Because you never know, as evidence by our last game, who's going to be in the game at what point. But we try to use them in a capacity where they can have success. As noted the other day, Sandy [Leon] came in and caught. Tyler [Moore] started a game in place of LaRoche, because Adam's back was a little barky that day. So we're goint to try to put them in spots where they can have success and keep them as sharp as possible.
"They've played all year. It hasn't been here, but they've played all year and to sit them down for a week or two at a time does no good for them. So, we'll try to work them in as we can. They're all very capable. They're all fanatastic players and we'll try to get them in there to help us win games in this last month."
Kobernus gives the Nationals another speedy baserunner and outfield option who can play all three positions in the outfield. In the minors, he's played the majority of his games at second base.