Nats Journal

Catching question at the forefront this spring

The Nationals have six weeks to decide if a healthy Keibert Ruiz will retain his No. 1 job behind the plate, or if 23-year-old Harry Ford is ready for the assignment

Mark Zuckerman's avatar
Mark Zuckerman
Feb 13, 2026
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Photos by Saúl Martinez / NATS JOURNAL

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – In a camp filled with more questions than answers, one query does loom larger than most: Who is the Nationals’ No. 1 catcher?

For four years, that question didn’t need to be asked. Keibert Ruiz was the obvious answer, the talented young catcher acquired from the Dodgers in the Max Scherzer-Tre…

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