Detroit Tigers To Send Jeff Kobernus Back To Nationals

February 25, 2013; Clearwater, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Jeff Kobernus (46) hits a single in the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Kobernus seemed almost to be a lock to make the Detroit Tigers’ 25-man roster a week ago after Brennaon Boesch was released, but reports have surfaced that the Rule 5 pick will be sent back to the Washington Nationals.

The #nats will be getting Rule 5 pick INF Jeff Kobernus back from the Tigers, according to a source. He'll be in camp tomorrow.
— Amanda Comak Zrebiec (@acomak) March 23, 2013

Kobernus wasn’t ever going to be a strong hitter, but the Tigers had hoped that he could do enough at the plate to platoon a little bit in the outfield. That didn’t really look like it was going to happen and the Tigers, who are chasing a World Series, can’t really afford to carry a Rule 5 player that wouldn’t be able to contribute.

If Kobernus is heading back to Nats, as @acomak reports, right-handed hitting OF job would look like Tuiasosopo or some sort of move.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) March 23, 2013

As Jason Beck states in the above Tweet, the move apparently makes Matt Tuiasosopo one of the front runners to make the roster. Barring a move — a Casper Wells trade, perhaps — the Tigers would appear to be heading north with Brayan Pena, Ramon Santiago, Don Kelly, and Tuiasosopo on the Bench.

Schedule