Nationals acquire catcher Jose Lobaton from Rays

The Nationals added depth at catcher by acquiring Jose Lobaton from the Rays. (Tom DiPace/Getty Images)

The Washington Nationals were looking for a backup for talented but injury-prone catcher Wilson Ramos heading into spring training. The team addressed that need Thursday by acquiring catcher Jose Lobaton and two prospects from the Tampa Bay Rays for pitcher Nathan Karns.

Ramos has played more than 80 games only once in his four-year major league career. But when he has played, he's been valuable. In 2013, he slugged 16 home runs in 287 at-bats and posted a .777 OPS. Lobaton hit .249 in 277 at-bats for the Rays.

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In 23 starts in Double-A in 2013, Karns went 10-6 with a 3.26 ERA and 155 strikeouts in 132.2 innings.