Ramos ready to start rehab assignment

PHILADELPHIA -- Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos played in his second consecutive extended spring game Saturday in Florida, going 1-for-4 and catching six innings behind the plate without any problems with his left hand. Ramos is currently on the 15-day disabled list because of a broken left hamate bone in the hand.

With things going well in Florida, Ramos will start a rehab assignment for Class A Hagerstown and will be a designated hitter starting Sunday.

The Nationals are hoping Ramos could start playing with the big league club starting with the next homestand, which starts Monday against the Dodgers or during the West Coast trip, which starts in Oakland later next week.