Wieters returns, Severino stays, Montero dropped from roster

Matt Wieters is back on the Nationals' active roster. That doesn't necessarily mean he's back as their unquestioned No. 1 catcher.

The Nationals activated Wieters off the 10-day disabled list this morning, but also made the mildly surprising decision to designate veteran Miguel Montero for assignment and keep 24-year-old Pedro Severino in the big leagues, where he'll continue to get significant playing time.

Wieters, who had been out since April 1 with a mild left oblique strain, caught eight innings and went 1-for-4 in a rehab game Tuesday night with Single-A Potomac, passing whatever tests were necessary to convince club officials he was ready to return.

The 31-year-old, who is making $10.5 million this season, was already looking at reduced playing time as the Nationals try to keep him from wearing down the way he did in 2017. But Severino's emergence over the last week - he's 7-for-19 with a .520 on-base percentage and .994 OPS - has changed the dynamic and could lead to even fewer starts behind the plate for Wieters.

"We'll see," manager Davey Martinez said. "Wieters is coming back off an injury. It's an oblique injury, so we definitely want to be careful. But Sevy's earned the right to play. And I want him to play. He's done well. We'll see what we do, how we handle it, match them both up."

The organization has long touted Severino as its potential long-term answer behind the plate, but his inconsistent bat in the minors and learning curve with the pitching staff left club officials reluctant to hand him the job quiet yet. His recent performance - not only on the field but also behind the scenes - helped convince the decision-makers he might actually be ready now.

"What I like about Sevy is he took what we told him in spring training to heart," Martinez said. "He's working every day to get to know the pitching staff, and that's the biggest thing for us: Calling pitches, working with the pitchers. He's done that, and he's done it well. And I'm getting a lot of feedback saying he's done a great job. So as long as he continues that ... you know, hitting comes and goes. But play the game the way it's supposed to be played, like he's been, and he's going to help us win a lot of games."

In order to keep Severino on the big league roster, the Nationals had to make a decision on Montero. They could have kept three catchers, but Adam Eaton's bone bruise in his left ankle created a void in the outfield and made the promotion of Moisés Sierra from Triple-A a higher priority.

Thus, Montero was designated for assignment today, a transaction that leaves him in limbo for 72 hours while other clubs have an opportunity to claim him off waivers or trade him. In all likelihood, the 34-year-old will go unclaimed and be released, leaving a career that includes two All-Star selections and a World Series ring with the Cubs at a crossroads.

The Nationals signed Montero to a minor league contract over the winter, inviting him to come to spring training and compete for a job. He wound up making the opening day roster as Wieters' backup, but struggled mightily at the plate, going hitless in 11 at-bats. He left the club for three days earlier this week after his wife gave birth to their son, but was back on the active roster only for one game before now getting removed from it again.

Though Montero's contract was set to pay him $1.3 million once he made the opening day roster, it was not a guaranteed deal, according to a club source. So the Nationals aren't on the hook for his full salary.

"Very tough," said Martinez, who coached Montero in Chicago the last three seasons. "But he's a professional. The hardest thing for me is letting guys go like that. I've known Miggy for a long time, personally know his family. So it was tough. But he gets it. He wanted me to thank everybody, which I will. And he said we gave him an opportunity, it just didn't pan out."