Nationals trim roster with four cuts

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

March 20, 2017, 8:24am

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals made another round of cuts today, reassigning left-hander Braulio Lara, catcher Spencer Kieboom, and infielders Neftali Soto and Grant Green to minor league camp.

None of those moves will come as a shock to anyone, but the cuts do move the Nationals closer to making the tougher decisions that are looming in the near future. Their spring roster is now down to 43.

Lara made seven appearances, giving up five runs and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. He'll likely pitch in the bullpen at Triple-A Syracuse to open the season.

Kieboom had already been involved in one previous spring training transaction, - he was designated for assignment and then outrighted to Syracuse when the club needed to clear a spot on its 40-man roster. The young catcher went 2-for-8 in limited action.

Soto went 5-for-25 with a homer and four RBIs, seeing time at both first and third bases. The 28-year-old, who has 34 games of major league experience with the Reds, figures to get playing time at Syracuse.

Green was 5-for-30 with a homer and five RBIs in 16 Grapefruit League games, appearing at all four infield positions in a quest to make the opening day bench. The 29-year-old also is likely to begin the season with Syracuse.

More cuts are likely to come later this week as the Nationals begin to face some of their tougher roster decisions.