Ivan Rodriguez is starting Saturday for the first time since July 4. Pudge has been dealing with an oblique strain since early July and has been used as the third catcher since being activated earlier this month while the Nats gave young catchers Wilson Ramos and Jesus Flores the playing time. Rodriguez, 39, will be a free agent this offseason.

Ivan Rodriguez is "unlikely" to start another game behind the plate this season for the Nationals. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said this week that he wants to continue to give playing time to young catchers Wilson Ramos and Jesus Flores. It only makes sense. Pudge, 39, will be a free agent this offseason.

Nationals activated C Ivan Rodriguez from the 15-day disabled list.

Ivan Rodriguez (oblique) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Single-A Potomac. Rodriguez took on-field batting practice Thursday and reported no lingering discomfort in his once-strained oblique. The veteran catcher is likely to spend a week in the Nationals' minor league system before rejoining the big league club when rosters expand on September 1.

Ivan Rodriguez (oblique) is expected to take on-field batting practice on Thursday. Rodriguez is again making steady progress but won't be activated from the disabled list until rosters expand in September. The Nationals seem to like that Wilson Ramos and Jesus Flores are getting regular at-bats.

Ivan Rodriguez (oblique) took 25 swings off a tee without incident on Saturday. He is scheduled to do the same drill on Sunday and Monday. Nationals manager Davey Johnson has ruled out Pudge until rosters expand in September. He will be a free agent following the season, so the Nationals are content giving his at-bats to Wilson Ramos and Jesus Flores.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson has ruled out Ivan Rodriguez (oblique) until rosters expand in September. In other words, don't look for Pudge in any August waiver deals. The veteran backstop is currently making his way back from a strained right oblique. He will be a free agent following the season, so the Nationals are better off giving at-bats to Wilson Ramos and Jesus Flores, anyway.

Ivan Rodriguez (oblique) did some light baseball activities Tuesday. Pudge worked out and did some throwing, but isn't ready to swing a bat. He is scheduled to see the team doctor prior to Tuesday's game and will likely do some more throwing Wednesday. The veteran backstop just experienced a setback last week, so the Nationals aren't going to rush him into a minor league rehab assignment.

Ivan Rodriguez (oblique) suffered yet another setback. Pudge was given a pain-killing injection Sunday, but it didn't do the trick. The veteran catcher remains sidelined indefinitely with discomfort in his right oblique.

Ivan Rodriguez (oblique) receied an epidural shot Sunday and will shut down his rehab for three days as the shot takes effect. Rodriguez "still felt something" in his right oblique, Nats GM Mike Rizzo said, after batting practice on Sunday. Rodriguez left Single-A Hagerstown soon thereafter. If he is cleared by Washington's medical team on Wednesday, he will begin a rehab assignment.