Suzuki remains on active roster after MRI on hip

Kurt Suzuki will remain on the Nationals' active roster for Game 4 of the World Series after undergoing an MRI of his right hip that convinced club officials the veteran catcher would be available tonight if something happened to teammate Yan Gomes.

Suzuki had to depart Game 3 on Friday night in the bottom of the sixth, a few minutes after he blocked a pitch and injured his right hip flexor. The 36-year-old was uncertain after the game if he'd be well enough to return for tonight's game, but said strength tests taken on his hip were good and was hopeful he'd be able to gut his way through the rest of the series if needed.

Manager Davey Martinez remained uncertain late this afternoon as he awaited results of Suzuki's MRI. With Gomes the only other catcher on the current 25-man roster, there was no room to take any chances.

"Obviously, we need a backup catcher," Martinez said. "If he's not going to be able to play for a few days, we're going to have to do something else."

The Nationals, technically speaking, could have made a roster change right up until the point managers exchange lineup cards a few minutes before first pitch. If Suzuki was deemed unavailable, he would be removed from the roster (with approval of Major League Baseball's independent doctor) and replaced by rookie Raudy Read, who like other September call-ups has remained with the team throughout the postseason.

Suzuki's availability isn't necessarily a big deal for Game 4 tonight, because Gomes would've been behind the plate working with starting pitcher Patrick Corbin as he's been all season with the lefty. But with no other catchers on the roster, infielder Brian Dozier would suddenly become the emergency replacement if anything happened to Gomes.

So even though Suzuki likely wouldn't be asked to play until Game 5 on Sunday night, the Nationals wouldn't keep him on the roster for Game 4 unless they were sure he's available.

"I want a definitive (answer) today," Martinez said. "I mean, we have to. If we deem that he can't be ready for a couple of days, then we're going to have to do something."

For now, it appears the Nationals aren't going to have to do something.