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"Pudge" is as a starter

I-Rod is as a starter with Nats

AP

AP Ivan Rodriguez is headed to one of the practice fields

VIERA, Fla. - Despite his 39 years, the Puerto Rican Ivan Rodriguez remains the starting catcher in the majors.

star receiver 14 times invited the All-Star Game started in 102 games for the Nationals last year and manager Jim Riggleman said Friday that the popular "Pudge" remains the starting catcher. That leaves me Jesus Flores Ramos Wilson competing for the backup catcher position.

"still has a lot of baseball," said Riggleman. "Whoever wins the post of substitute, will be incorporated in the lineup more and gradually as the season progresses. Whether or Ramos Flores, both are very talented players," he added.

Ramos, who was acquired from Minnesota in exchange for Matt Capps in July, batted .269 (from 1952-1914) with one homer in 15 games with Washington last season. Receptor is seen as a more defensive but offensive potential.

Flores seemed to be the owner of the future National three years ago. However, it has struggled with shoulder injuries for much of the last two seasons and missed the entire 2010 season after undergoing surgery to repair the rotator cuff.