WASHINGTON – The Washington Nationals have acquired two-time All-Star infielder Asdrubal Cabrera and cash from the Cleveland Indians for shortstop Zach Walters.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement Thursday.
The 28-year-old Cabrera has spent most of his career at shortstop but has played 162 games at second base — his likely position in Washington — most recently in 2009.
Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is out with a strained right hamstring, and regular second baseman Anthony Rendon has shifted over to third.
Cabrera is in the last year of a three-year contract and with top prospect Francisco Lindor at Triple-A Columbus, Cleveland had the flexibility to make the move.
Oft injured, Cabrera is a career .270 hitter, with 82 home runs and a .331 on-base percentage in eight seasons. He is batting .246 with 33 extra-base hits this season.
Walters, 24, has hit .234 with three home runs and six RBIs in 40 games for the Nationals over the last two seasons.
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