For now, trio of catchers is fine with Martinez

By the time he arrived in the major leagues with the Cubs in 1986, Davey Martinez was playing on teams that had transformed their benches, ditching the traditional third catcher for a more versatile player or an extra bullpen arm.

But for a couple of generations, most clubs carried three catchers on what was then a 25-man roster. Most times, one backstop was a bat-first guy, the second could both hit and play defense, and the third was pretty much a defensive specialist. Though as the game progressed to a stage where bullpens carried lefty specialists to thwart the opposition's big lefty bat off the bench, the third catcher became pretty much extinct.

Of course, COVID times sometimes call for desperate measures - or at least unorthodox thinking - which is how the Nationals find themselves with three catchers on a 26-man roster. Yan Gomes and Al Avila - the duo expected to handle the catching chores this season - were activated off the COVID-19 injured list on Friday, joining veteran Jonathan Lucroy, who was signed before the season began when virus issues left the Nats without depth behind the plate.

That Lucroy, 34, is still around shows that the Nats want to ease Gomes and Avila into regular playing time because of their extended virus-related layoffs. But Lucroy has impressed Martinez with his ability to call games with an unfamiliar staff and a 5-for-11 start at the plate that has produced two RBIs.

"Right now, he's still here," the manager said of Lucroy during his Zoom session with reporters before Saturday night's game in Los Angeles. "He's done well for us in a short period of time. He's still here, so we haven't really talked about what's next for him."

But Lucroy's presence also gives Martinez some added flexibility, no small perk considering the fact that starting first baseman Josh Bell is still on the COVID injured list. All three of Martinez's catchers have experience at first base during their major league careers, and the additional backstop also gives the manager some extra maneuverability in pinch-hitting situations.

On Friday night, Martinez announced Gomes as a pinch-hitter in the eighth against Dodgers lefty reliever Victor González. When Dodgers manager Dave Roberts countered with righty Blake Treinen, Martinez subbed lefty-swinging Yadiel Hernandez, who doubled as a pinch-hitter for Gomes, igniting a rally.

"(On Friday), we burned Yan only because I knew we had Alex that can catch, so we were able to get the right match-up with Yadi to pinch-hit right there.," Martinez said. "So it does give us a little flexibility when we can carry three catchers. On one hand, I kinda like it, especially when they can do all the things."

Right now, the ability to play first base is important for a Nationals team that has pressed veteran Ryan Zimmerman into a starting role while Bell is out. Zimmerman was supposed to occasionally spell Bell or function as a late-inning defensive replacement. Now he's shouldering the load and others are now filling the role Zimmerman was supposed to fill.

"It was nice to have three catchers, especially when you had a guy that you could use as a pinch-hitter in the National League or play a different position," Martinez said. "We're looking at that stuff now. Yan has played some first base, Lucroy has played some first base and Alex has played some first base also. It's nice."

It's a windfall for Lucroy, who was cut late in spring training by the White Sox and was fortunate to latch on to a team with a need. When Bell is reinstated from the injured list, that could spell the end of Lucroy's tenure in D.C.

Until then, Martinez likes looking down his bench and having options.

"I just know that he's a National right now," he said of Lucroy, "and he'll help us trying to win a game today."