Nats release catcher Chris Snyder (with Nieto note)

MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Nationals announced tonight that they've released catcher Chris Snyder, one more step to getting their roster down to the 25 players it will contain come opening day. Snyder, 33, signed a minor league contract with the Nats in December. He hit .294 (5-for-17) with a homer, a double and five RBIs in 12 games this spring. The veteran had a solid enough camp, but he had no realistic chance of making the Nats' opening day roster after the team acquired catcher Jose Lobaton in a trade with the Rays early in camp. Despite his shaky spring, Lobaton will serve as the Nats' backup catcher behind Wilson Ramos. Snyder was also with the Nats for part of last spring, and was released midway through camp so that he could sign a deal with the Angels. The 10-year big league veteran ended up appearing in just nine big league games last year with the Orioles. The Nats now have 33 players left in big league camp (not including right-hander Erik Davis, who is on the 60-day DL with an elbow injury). Ramos, Lobaton and Sandy Leon are the final three catchers in camp. Note: Speaking of catchers, former Nationals farmhand Adrian Nieto has been informed by the White Sox that he will make that club's opening day roster, according to this tweet from his agent. Nieto, who played last season for high Single-A Potomac, was taken by the White Sox in the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings. He must stay with the Sox for the entire season or be offered back to the Nationals for half of the $50,000 draft price. He beat out Josh Phegley and Hector Gimenez for the role of backup to starter Tyler Flowers.