Carlos Maldonado News

Livan Hernandez , the man who threw the first pitch in Nationals history, the soft-tosser who started opening day last year and became obsolete this year, emerged from the Atlanta Braves ' bullpen.

Following Wilson Ramos 's season-ending injury, many began speculating that the Washington Nationals would hit the market for catching insurance.A Despite early rumors, the Nationals are not actively shopping for a catcher at this time, according to Amanda Comak of the Washington Times.

Two weeks ago, this would not have been a day Jesus Flores would have played. A light rain fell on a gray day as the Nationals catcher was preparing to play his eighth game in nine days.

The Nationals' greatness was tested once again last weekend against the Baltimore Orioles, and once again they came up just short.

He suffered a high ankle sprain in a collision at home plate in his first game, necessitating a trip to the 60-day disabled list.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Ross Detwiler pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in Washington, Saturday, May 19, 2012.

Overcoming injury has been a theme to the start of the 2012 season for the Washington Nationals, yet it hasn't kept the team out of first place thus far.

Ramos told reporters before Wednesday's 7-4 victory over the Pirates that he'll be having surgery to repair the torn ACL in his right knee in about two to three weeks and won't be back this year.

Tuesday afternoon's loss denied the Nats a chance to even take a cheap two-game sweep from the visiting San Diego Padres .

Remember Jesus Flores ? I don't mean that you recall that there's a catcher named Jesus Flores who backs up Wilson Ramos for the Nationals .

The Boston Red Sox currently have three catchers that can contribute at the major league level; Jarrod Saltalamacchia , Kelly Shoppach and Ryan Lavarnway .A For this reason, and because of the Red Sox other areas of need, it's been rumored that Boston could look to trade a backstop this summer.A Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com believes that Shoppach is ... (more)

Erik Bedard is hoping his start Wednesday against the Nationals goes much better -- and lasts much longer -- than his abbreviated start last week against the same club.

Stephen Strasburg left after only four innings Tuesday, matching the second-shortest appearance of his 25-start career, and San Diego's Will Venable had four hits, while John Baker delivered three hits and three RBIs, leading the Padres to a 6-1 victory over the Washington Nationals.

Bryce Harper is as sentimental about his first big league homer as he is about the rest of the many milestones in his baseball career.

Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper , left, San Diego Padres catcher Nick Hundley, center, and home plate umpire Larry Vanover watch Harper's his first major-league home run during the third inning of baseball game, Monday, May 14, 2012, in Washington.

Everybody in the Nationals' lineup is getting in on the team's offensive resurgence, but now the closer situation is a question mark.

In the fourth inning, Chase Headley sprinted home trying to score from second on a single.

The probable season-ending injury to Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos is only one of several injuries suffered by Nationals players this season.

The Syracuse Chiefs, Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, beat the Durham Bulls 15-8 Wednesday night in a three hour, 38-minute game.

The Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, split a doubleheader with the Durham Bulls Tuesday night at Alliance Bank Stadium.