The Nationals made a brief announcement informing reporters that the team has released outfielder Elijah Dukes, an abrupt move with a little over two weeks remaining in spring training.
He hit .242 with 31 homers and 123 RBIs in three seasons with Tampa Bay and Washington. He was limited to 188 games with the Nationals the past two seasons because of injuries.
Dukes had put most of his troubled past behind him, and it will be interesting to see if a team gives him a chance to make the club out of spring training.
Knowing Dukes' history, would you want him on your club as a reserve outfielder? Dukes was a .274 hitter with runners in scoring position in 2009 and hit .400 when the bases were loaded with 1 grand slam.