Ramos placed on bereavement list, Severino called up

The Nationals have placed Wilson Ramos on the bereavement list following the death of his grandfather, Jesus Campos, leaving the club without its No. 1 catcher for at least the next three games.

Ramos informed manager Dusty Baker of the news this morning and made plans to leave town. He is expected to rejoin the team early in its upcoming road trip.

"I talked to him this morning; he was pretty shook up," Baker said. "He'll join us sometime over the weekend in St. Louis."

Major League Baseball rules require players to stay on the bereavement list for at least three games, but no more than seven.

Ramos is off to a strong start to the season, carrying a .316 batting average with four doubles and two homers. He started all but three of the Nationals' first 18 games, subbed out by Jose Lobaton only on days when Gio Gonzalez has been their starting pitcher.

Lobaton now will get more extensive playing time behind the plate, beginning tonight with Max Scherzer on the mound against the Phillies. He figures also to start Wednesday night when Gonzalez pitches.

Pedro Severino, who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, could possibly start Thursday afternoon's series finale, pairing up with Tanner Roark.

Severino arrived at Nationals Park around 4 p.m. after flying in from Syracuse, where the 22-year-old was hitting .244 with two RBIs in 13 games, throwing out two of 12 basestealers.

Regarded as the organization's top catching prospect, Severino was on the Nationals' big league roster at the end of last season, going 1-for-4 with a double and making one start behind the plate. Though his experience is minimal, he said he feels an instant comfort level in these surroundings.

"I was in spring training two years in a row, so I know most of the guys here, and I have a good relationship," he said. "I feel normal. My teammates, I know everybody."