Nats add Kieboom, Bostick, Lee to 40-man roster

WASHINGTON -- The Nationals selected the contracts of infielder Chris Bostick, catcher Spencer Kieboom and left-hander Nick Lee on Thursday, adding them to the 40-man roster and thus protecting them from the Rule 5 Draft.

Kieboom had a cup of coffee with the big league team in Spring Training. During his career in the Nationals organization since 2012, Kieboom threw out 41 percent (77-for-189) of would-be basestealers in a three-year Minor League career.

This past season, Kieboom hit .248 with two home runs and 26 RBIs for Class A Advanced Potomac.

Bostick, who came from the Rangers last offseason in the trade of left-hander Ross Detwiler, played in a combined 137 games between Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg and hit .258 with 12 home runs, 58 RBIs and 31 stolen bases. He can play at least four positions, including second base, shortstop, left field and center field. Bostick enters the 2016 season rated as the No. 23 prospect in Washington's system, according to MLB.com.

Lee has thrived as a reliever. Since the start of 2014, 42 of Lee's 51 appearances as a reliever have been for at least one inning. In 2015, he tied for second in Washington's chain with 10 saves while going 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 40 games between Potomac and Harrisburg. He surrendered just one home run while holding opposing batters to a .216 average.

With these moves, the Nationals have 38 players on their 40-man roster.