Tigers acquire Jeff Kobernus and Kyle Lobstein

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has acquired second baseman Jeff Kobernus from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for infielder/outfielder Justin Henry, and the club acquired lefthanded pitcher Kyle Lobstein from the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations.

Both Kobernus and Lostein were selected in the major league phase of this year’s Rule 5 Draft at Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings.

Kobernus, 24, hit .282 (93x330) with 10 doubles, two triples, a home run, 19 RBI and 42 stolen bases in 82 games with Double A Harrisburg in the Washington Nationals organization during the 2012 season. He led the Eastern League with 42 stolen bases.

Originally selected by Washington in the second round of the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, he has batted .279 (327x1172) with 51 doubles, six triples, nine home runs, 115 RBI and 120 stolen bases in 290 games during four seasons at the minor league level.

Lobstein, 23, compiled an 8-7 record with a 4.06 ERA (144.0IP/65ER) and 129 strikeouts in 27 starts with Double A Montgomery in the Tampa Bay Rays organization during the 2012 season. He finished second in the Southern League with 129 strikeouts.

Originally selected by Tampa Bay in the second round of the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, he has posted a 30-30 record, 3.85 ERA (497.2IP/213ER) and 427 strikeouts in 92 outings (91 starts) in four seasons at the minor league level.

Henry, 27, hit .300 (143x476) with 14 doubles, five triples, a home run and 38 RBI in 131 games with Triple A Toledo during the 2012 season.

Additionally, the Tigers selected outfielder Eliezer Mesa from the Oakland Athletics in the Triple A phase of this year’s Rule 5 Draft. Mesa saw action with Single A Burlington, Single A Stockton and Double A Midland in 2012, combining to hit .255 (93x364) with 12 doubles, seven triples, four home runs, 43 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 101 games.