WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Clint Robinson cleared out his locker Tuesday afternoon and said goodbye to his teammates in the Nationals' clubhouse. He was getting ready to drive his family home, where they would discuss his uncertain future.
The Nationals placed Robinson on waivers, a move that had been in the cards since the team signed Adam Lind at the start of Spring Training. Robinson will have 72 hours to clear waivers, after which time he can either accept an assignment to Triple-A Syracuse, or choose to become a free agent.
Robinson, 32, became one of the staples of the Nationals bench the past two years in what became his first extended time in the Majors. He hit 15 home runs with a .726 OPS in his two seasons in Washington, and proved he can stick around in the Majors after so many years stuck in the Minors. And while Robinson will look for a big league job, he did not rule out accepting an assignment to Triple-A.
"There is a chance. You never know," Robinson said. "Once we process everything, sit down and decide, talk to my agent, talk to my wife, decide what we want to do, what's best for us as a family. You never know. You might see me again."
Robinson struggled last season as a pinch-hitter when he posted a .637 OPS and did not record an extra-base hit after July 16, a span of 50 games. He said he had no hard feelings when the team signed Lind the day prior to the report date for pitchers and catchers, and that the past month had not been awkward.
Robinson thanked the Nats for giving him a shot and recalled some of his favorite memories during the past two years.
He became the first position player in team history to pitch in a regular-season game when he threw a scoreless inning on May 12, 2015, against the D-backs. He gave up one hit and even recorded a strikeout. Then there was his walk-off home run against the Tigers on May 9, 2016, when he thought it was the eighth inning and wondered why the dugout was emptying.
And most of all, Robinson said he'll miss the friendships he made here. Manager Dusty Baker joked Robinson came back around about three times to say goodbye.
"When you're with a team for a couple years, and this was my first extended time in the big leagues, the friendships I've made and the good teammates I've had, saying bye to them is pretty tough," Robinson said. "I enjoy being here. I love all these guys. Wish them the best, and hopefully see them on the other side. And hopefully I can make some noise against them. You never know."