Nationals release Frandsen, reassign Gwynn to minor league camp

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals made a pair of roster moves this morning, releasing veteran utility man Kevin Frandsen and reassigning outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. to minor league camp.

The 32-year-old Frandsen was signed as a free agent last March 26, a day after he was released by the Phillies, and hit .259 with a homer and 17 RBIs in his lone season with the Nats. He played four positions - first base, second base, third base and left field - and quickly became a popular member of a veteran clubhouse.

Early this offseason, Frandsen avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $1 million deal to remain in Washington. However, he struggled in spring training, batting .086 (3-for-35) with two RBIs in 22 games, and appeared sparingly at third base, even after starter Anthony Rendon sustained a left knee injury early in the Grapefruit League season.

The Nationals signed Gwynn, 32, to a minor league deal on March 2 and the son of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn responded by slashing .341/.420/.500 in 21 spring games. He had two doubles, a triple, a home run, two RBIs and two steals.

Given the Nationals' need for outfield depth with two starters - center fielder Denard Span (abdominal surgery) and Jayson Werth (shoulder surgery) - and backup Nate McLouth (shoulder surgery) likely to start the season on the disabled list, Gwynn seemed a good bet to head north on the 25-man roster.

But Monday's trade that brought Matt den Dekker from the Mets may have pushed Gwynn out of the picture. Like Gwynn, den Dekker bats from the left side and can play all three outfield positions. Unlike Gwynn, den Dekker can be optioned to the minor leagues without having to first pass through waivers. That makes the 27-year-old den Dekker more appealing as both a short-term replacement until Werth is ready, which could be a week into the regular season, and an organizational depth piece.