Solano happy to join Nats

Photo by USA Today

Catcher Jhonatan Solano had just walked into the Syracuse dugout during the eighth inning of the team's Saturday game vs. Lehigh Valley when manager Tony Beasley told him he was headed to Washington. Wilson Ramos had sustained an injury and they needed his services.

Despite knowing Ramos and feeling bad about his unfortunate news, Solano was elated to hear he would be leaving the cold of upstate New York. The game time temperature yesterday in Syracuse was 38 degrees for a one o’clock start.

“I don’t feel myself yesterday, nothing. My feet and my hands,” he said. “When we got the third out, he told me ‘you’re out of the game.’”

“I’m here, I’m going to take my opportunity to play.”

Solano woke up at 4 a.m. to catch an early flight to D.C. He said his wife is on her way driving to catch his season debut today, along with their 21 month baby girl.

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Nats cut eight, release Snyder

Photo by USA Today

[UPDATED 11:50 a.m.]

The Washington Nationals have announced another round of spring training cuts, sending six players to Triple-A Syracuse and two to minor league camp. The team also granted 32 year old catcher Chris Snyder an unconditional release.

Pitchers Ryan Perry, Erik Davis, and Yunesky Maya, as well as infielder Chris Marrero, catcher Jhonatan Solano, and outfielder Corey Brown are all off to Triple-A. Reassigned to minor league camp are pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and infielder Zach Walters. 

Davis and Maya head north after strong springs that on other teams may have warranted big league roster spots. Davis held a 1.13 ERA through eight innings across seven games, with just one earned run allowed and two walks. He struck out eight batters and posted a .148 batting average against. Maya appeared in five games with a 2.25 ERA and seven strikeouts through eight innings pitched. 

Perry, on the other hand, had a rough spring with a 10.24 ERA in 9 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed 11 earned runs and four walks with a .325 BAA.

Position analysis: Catcher

US Presswire photo

Wilson Ramos expects to return 100 percent after tearing his ACL in May.

As we transition into offseason mode, we'll start by breaking down the Nationals' roster by position (infield, outfield, catcher, rotation and bullpen) this week and examine where things stand at season's end and where things might stand moving forward. Today's position: Catcher...

C WILSON RAMOS
Stats: 25 G, 96 PA, 3 HR, 10 RBI, .265 AVG, .354 OBP, .398 SLG
1 E, 17% CS, 0.6 WAR
2012 salary: $491,250
Contract status: Arbitration-eligible in 2014, free agent in 2017
Where he fits in: In his second full year in the big leagues, Ramos looked poised to breakout as one of the game's best young catchers. But his season ended in abrupt fashion May 12 in Cincinnati when he tore the ACL in his right knee, leaving him to start all over again in 2013. The Nationals have every reason to believe Ramos will return 100 percent healthy and pick up where he left off, but there are no guarantees. With Kurt Suzuki now in the fold as well, the club may ease Ramos back into playing shape and have the two split time behind the plate.

C KURT SUZUKI
Stats (w/WSH only): 43 G, 164 PA, 5 HR, 25 RBI, .267 AVG, .321 OBP, .404 SLG

Solano likely headed to DL

Having already seen four of their catchers miss time due to injuries this season, the Nationals are about to add a fifth name to the list.

Jhonatan Solano will likely be placed on the disabled list following tonight's game with a strained oblique muscle, manager Davey Johnson said today.

Solano has been dealing with the injury since he last played, Sunday in Miami. Jesus Flores is in the Nationals' lineup tonight for the third straight day, and with a 12:35 p.m. start scheduled tomorrow, the club is going to need a healthy backup catcher to give Flores a break.

That catcher is expected to be Sandy Leon, who joined the Nationals May 14 after Opening Day starter Wilson Ramos tore the ACL in his right knee but then suffered a high ankle sprain four innings into his major-league debut. Leon has since recovered and is currently hitting .313 at Class AA Harrisburg.

Solano's injury is a tough blow for the 26-year-old rookie, who has