Wilson Ramos will split time with Ivan Rodriguez

Ivan Rodriguez is behind the plate today, but with 25 games remaining in the season the Nationals plan for him to share playing time "almost 50-50" with Wilson Ramos, Manager Jim Riggleman said. Ramos, the highly regarded prospect just called up from Class AAA Syracuse, started Sunday in Pittsburgh.

The plan is a potential precursor to the Nationals' 2011 season. The Nationals are high are Ramos and will likely use next year as a way to transition from Rodriguez - a surefire Hall of Famer who signed a two-year contract with the Nationals this year - to Ramos, whom the National acquired from the Twins for all-star closer Matt Capps to install as their catcher of the future.

For now, the Nationals still have Wil Nieves to backup, and he may experience a dearth of playing time.

"He's done a really good job catching," Riggleman said. "He's starting to swing the bat a little better. It's going to be a little harder to find him some at-bats, but that doesn't mean we don't appreciate what he's done."