Typically, Major League baseball teams carry two catchers. Having three catchers on the roster is almost unheard of. Having four catchers is downright preposterous. Yet that's exactly the situation the Washington Nationals find themselves in after veteran catchers Paul Lo Duca and Johnny Estrada returned from the disabled list, joining fellow backstops Jesus Flores and Will Nieves on the active roster. The situation is made all the more bizarre when it's considered the Nationals only have three healthy outfielders on the roster. When was the last time you saw a baseball team with more catchers than outfielders?
Thanks to the versatility of its players, Washington has been able to get away with the unusual roster configuration, but don't expect to see the four catchers for very long. The Nationals will surely make some personnel moves to address the situation.
The Nats signed Lo Duca and Estrada over the off-season to handle the catching chores, but when both veterans suffered injuries, the 23-year-old Flores took advantage of the opportunity, emerging as a legitimate starting catcher. Through his first 56 games this season, Flores has hit .270 with five homeruns and 38 RBI. The 30-year-old Nieves, a journeyman his entire career, has also shown the potential to be a reliable backup, meaning both Lo Duca and Estrada are now expendable. Lo Duca is rumored to be on his way out of town via trade. And if Nieves can secure the backup role over the next few games, Estrada could be released.
