With a quick move made in the twilight of the evening Tuesday, the Nationals put an end to Wily Mo Pena‘s time with the team.
The talented, yet enigmatic slugger cleared waivers, refused a minor-league assignment and was unconditionally released, the victim of a crowded outfield and his own inability to turn potential into production. He arrived in an August 2007 trade with the Red Sox and created some legitimate buzz, hitting eight homers in 37 games. But he got hurt in spring training last year and again during the year, finally undergoing surgery on his left shoulder in July after playing hurt much of the year. He hit .205 with two homers and 10 RBI in 64 games last season.
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The move isn’t exactly surprising — the Nationals entered camp with five outfielders expected to make the team ahead of Pena — but it’s worth noting how quickly Pena fell out of favor with the team.
Washington also re-assigned reliever Gary Glover to minor-league camp.
