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Before this afternoon's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals' skipper Dusty Baker announced that catcher Wilson Ramos had been placed on the bereavement list after a death in the family.
Ramos, 28, is off to a strong start this season, going 18 for 57 (.316/.328/.491) with four doubles and two home runs early in his seventh major league season.
No word on when Ramos will return to the team, though he could spend anywhere from 3-7 days away.
The Nationals will have to make a corresponding roster move, with 22-year-old catcher Pedro Severino a likely candidate for a call-up.
Through 13 games at Triple-A Syracuse this season, the defense-first backstop who made his MLB debut late last season is 11 for 45 (.244/.255/.267) with a double and six Ks in 47 plate appearances.
Here are the reports on Ramos from the writers on the scene in the nation's capital today:
Wilson Ramos had a death in the family and has been placed on bereavement leave. Expected to rejoin team this weekend in St Louis.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) April 26, 2016
#Nats are allowed to call up another catcher while Ramos is on bereavement (3-7 days). Hasn't been announced yet, but Severino is likeliest.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) April 26, 2016
Wilson Ramos had a death in the family, will land on the bereavement list. Won't re-join the team until at least this weekend in St.Louis
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) April 26, 2016
Ramos is out today due to the death of a close family member. He's going to the bereavement list. Could be for as long as a week.
— Chase Hughes (@chasehughesCSN) April 26, 2016
Ramos had a "close death" in the family, Dusty said. Will be on bereavement until the weekend.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) April 26, 2016
With Ramos away from the team, Jose Lobaton gets the start tonight, here's the Nationals' lineup for the series opener with the Philadelphia Phillies:
Back at it! #Nats vs. #Phillies: pic.twitter.com/Jf6rYcHqZp
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 26, 2016