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Jeff Kobernus suffered a fractured left hand early last summer and was limited to just 73 games in Washington's system in 2014, 59 of them with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs.
The 26-year-old, 2009 Nationals' 2nd Round pick posted a .257/.338/.359 line, 13 doubles, two home runs and 15 stolen bases in 235 plate appearances.
Kobernus, who debuted in the majors in May 2013, was called up by the Nationals last September, and he finished the year with eight plate appearances for the Nats.
He was 2 for 15 this Spring before the Nats optioned to Triple-A last weekend. This afternoon, the Nationals announced that they released Kobernus:
The #Nats have released INF/OF Jeff Kobernus.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) March 17, 2015
In 28 games in the majors, Kobernus has a .139/.295/.222 line with a home run and three stolen bases in five attempts.
In his six seasons in Washington's system, the San Leandro, California-born, University of California at Berkeley-educated infielder/outfielder put up a combined .285/.331/.363 line with 32 doubles, three triples, three home runs and 57 stolen bases in 458 games and 1,982 PAs.
Washington Nationals 2015 Season Preview
Photo © Patrick McDermott/Getty Images
Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo described Kobernus as a "speedy, utility-type" of player in a radio interview in 2013 after calling Kobernus up to the majors for the first time:
"[Kobernus] plays second, third, short and the outfield for us," Rizzo said. "He’s a terrific contact bat. He can steal you a base when you have to. He’s a plus-plus runner and kind of an energy-type of exciting type of player."
Kobernus spent the majority of his time in the minors at second base (290 games), but played left (81 G), center (36 G) and right (8 G) as well as short (4 G) and third base (11 G). In his time in the majors with the Nationals, Kobernus spent time at second and in all three outfield positions.