NEW YORK - We know now that Wilson Ramos will be out for around four to five weeks after having surgery on his left hand, news that manager Matt Williams confirmed this morning in a weekly appearance on 106.7 The Fan. So where does this leave the Nationals as they wait for their starting catcher to again get back to full health? Backup catcher Jose Lobaton will obviously get bumped up into the starting role, and all indications are that Sandy Leon will get called up from Double-A Harrisburg...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Cardinals 3, Nationals 2 Recap: Gio Gonzalez wrapped up his spring by going five innings, allowing three runs, only one of which was earned. Ross Detwiler, Craig Stammen and Aaron Barrett combined for three scoreless in relief and Caleb Ramsey had a two-run single in the loss. Need to know: Gonzalez put the finishing touches on a solid spring and declared himself ready for the season. He got hit in the left arm by an Adam Wainwright curve, but said afterwards that...

VIERA, Fla. - When an opposing baserunner steals against the Nationals, who's at fault? Sometimes it's the pitcher, who didn't do enough to hold the runner on, disrupt his attempt to swipe a bag or get the ball quickly enough to the plate. Sometimes it's the catcher, who didn't uncork a strong enough throw to nab him. And sometimes no one's at fault - even when you execute properly, the guy trying to steal may execute a little better. All three situations were apparent to an extent in...

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Ian Desmond was scratched from today's game against the Astros due to a cut on the pinky finger of his throwing hand, manager Matt Williams said after the Nationals' 10-9 loss to Houston. Fielding grounders during batting practice, Desmond had a ball hop up on him, and the finger split open. The shortstop was taken out of the starting lineup, and was replaced by Jamey Carroll. "He's fine, but we just decided to hold him out today and not push it," Williams said of...

TAMPA, Fla. - It may only be spring training, and the results may mean nothing, but that doesn't mean that Ross Detwiler wasn't nervous before today's 4-2 loss to the Yankees. After all, it was his first time in a big league game in exactly eight months. Detwiler, who missed the last half of last season with a back injury, went 1 1/3 innings today, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits. He struck out three and walked none, showing good fastball velocity (up to 94 mph on the gun)...

VIERA, Fla. - Following today's workout, a handful of Nationals players gathered in the bullpen at Space Coast Stadium, held Venezuelan flags and offered their support to the people of Venezuela, who have been dealing with violent clashes throughout their country as of late. Reports out of Venezuela are that at least eight people have died within the last two weeks due to violent protests of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Supporters of Maduro have clashed with his critics, and violence...

VIERA, Fla. - It's been four days since Jose Lobaton was acquired by the Nationals in a trade with the Rays, and in that time, the Nats' backup catcher has slowly started to feel more and more comfortable. Except, it appears, when it comes to knowing the names of the pitchers he's been working with. "I like, after a bullpen, talk to them a little bit," Lobaton said after today's workout. "And I know a couple guys, the names. The next day, I'm like, 'I know that guy. I know I...

Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs manager Billy Gardner was in the Tampa Bay Rays organization for several years and had a chance to skipper newly acquired backup catcher Jose Lobaton while with the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits. "I always liked the way he handed the pitching staff," Gardner said. "That was the one thing that stood out. He was a good communicator. He took a lot of pride in running the pitching staff and calling the game." Gardner worked with Lobaton in 2009, 2010 and parts of 2012...

VIERA, Fla. - Erik Davis had been having what he felt like was a "great" offseason. He was full-go, pretty much ready for spring training and throwing to hitters back home a week before he was set to report to camp. Then, when letting go of a changeup about 50 pitches into that throwing session, Davis felt something in his right elbow. He threw another pitch, a fastball, and while the pitch came out with good velocity and good control, he felt the discomfort in his elbow again. It was only...

VIERA, Fla. - For a lengthy period this morning, the Nationals clubhouse here at Space Coast Stadium was nearly completely empty, with the exception of six reporters standing around waiting for something, anything, to happen. Pitchers and catchers were out getting their physicals at an off-site location. A few coaches were on the back fields with some minor leaguers. The only team employee in sight, pretty much, was clubhouse manager Mike Wallace, who with the help of his crew was prepping...

VIERA, Fla. - The Jose Lobaton trade is finally official. In addition to the Nationals acquiring Lobaton from the Rays to presumably serve as their backup catcher, they also receive two 22-year-old minor leaguers - left-hander Felipe Rivero and outfielder Drew Vettleson. Right-hander Nathan Karns is the only player going from the Nats to Tampa Bay. As I mentioned earlier, Lobaton hit .249/.320/.394 in a career-high 100 games last season with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 32 RBIs. The...

VIERA, Fla. - One day into spring training, we have our first trade. Not much time wasted there. Mike Rizzo found who he surely expects to be the Nationals' backup catcher this morning, completing a trade with the Rays that sends right-hander Nathan Karns to Tampa Bay in exchange for catcher Jose Lobaton. The teams have not yet announced the trade, but the deal is expected to be made official later today. Karns had just arrived to the Nats' facilities here in Viera this morning when Rizzo...

VIERA, Fla. - Earlier this morning, Nationals right-hander Nathan Karns discussed the possibility of being traded. Now the rumors have come to fruition. Karns just finished meeting with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, who informed him that he'd been dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays. So instead of reacquainting himself with teammates in the only organization he's ever known, Karns is now packing his gear and stuffing belongings into a giant trash bag. He'll soon be traveling across Florida...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have been interested in Rays catcher Jose Lobaton for a little while now. A report late this afternoon tosses out right-hander Nathan Karns as a guy who might be able to help the Nats land Lobaton in a deal with Tampa Bay. The Tampa Bay Times is reporting that the Nats and Rays are talking about a Lobaton trade, with Karns serving as part of Tampa Bay's potential return for the 29-year-old catcher. Other players could be involved in the trade, according to the...