The Washington Nationals have sent two players down to Triple A Rochester while sending another down to minor league camp
The Washington Nationals have seemingly made their decision at catcher to open the 2026 season.
The team announced on Wednesday afternoon that both catcher Harry Ford and first baseman and designated hitter Abimelec Ortiz have been optioned to Triple A Rochester, while catcher Riley Adams will be re-assigned to minor league camp.
The move now points to Keibert Ruiz as the team's starting catcher ahead of Opening Day with Drew Millas the second and final active catcher at the major league level.
It marks a disappointing development given Ford arrived with the expectation that he would compete with Ruiz as the starting catcher. Ford also split time between the Nationals and Great Britain after serving as co-captain during the World Baseball Classic where he posted three hits, two RBIs and one home run across 15 at bats.
Through spring training, Ford posted just three hits, two RBIs and one stolen base across 14 at bats in his first appearances with the Nationals.
As for Ruiz, he's posted six hits, two RBIs, two runs and one home run across 28 at bats this spring after going through his first position battle as a National. Ruiz is also coming off a 2025 season where he was limited to just 68 games after battling multiple concussions, though he's made at least 110 appearances in each of the three seasons prior.
Whether Ruiz remains the starting catcher through the season will now be an ongoing storyline with Ford looking to now break free back into the majors.
Ford appeared in just eight games for the Mariners in 2025, making his debut on Sept. 5 against the Atlanta Braves when he struck out in his lone at bat. His first hit came on Sept. 27 against the Los Angeles Dodgers when he notched a double.
Ford arrived in Washington after a trade materialized back in early December that sent closer Jose Ferrer to Seattle in exchange for minor league pitcher Isaac Lyon along with the longtime catcher. Ford's arrival was also made possible by Seattle having Cal Raleigh at the plate, giving the Nationals an encouraging long-term option at the position where he's drawn continued buzz as the player to watch in spring training.
The team previously announced that first baseman Yohandy Morales would also head to minor league camp while the team previously announced their latest batch of roster cuts last Friday with Andrew Alvarez, Jake Eder and Mitchell Parker all being optioned down to Triple A Rochester.