Ivan Rodriguez intends to play for 3-4 more seasons and get to 3,000 hits.

He's only 183 hits short, so it's possible he could get there by the end of 2012, depending on how much playing time he gets. Pudge turned 39 over the offseason, which is ancient by catcher standards, but he keeps himself in terrific shape, so we wouldn't bet against him playing a couple more years. He's slated to initially be in a timeshare this season with Wilson Ramos, though Ramos will take over as the primary catcher at some point.

Ivan Rodriguez was scratched from Tuesday's lineup after tweaking his left calf during warm-ups.

"Not a big deal," said Rodriguez. "I'm ready to start the season." Look for the veteran backstop to return to the starting lineup in the next couple of days.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said Friday that Ivan Rodriguez is the club's starting catcher.

It's not really a big surprise. Riggleman is a fan of having veteran presences in the daily lineup and Pudge can still produce offensively to some degree. Jesus Flores and Wilson Ramos are competing for backup duties this spring in Nationals camp. None of Washington's catchers should be relied on in mixed fantasy leagues.

Adam Kilgore at the Washington Post wrote that Ivan Rodriguez wants to play several more years.

"I still have a lot in my game," the 39-year-old said. "I am feeling very good, physically, mentally." The all-time great also showed appreciation for playing alongside two young and talented catchers: Wilson Ramos and Jesus Flores. No longer a consistent offensive threat, Pudge hit .237/.262/.308 during the second half of last season. His value to the Nationals consists of leadership, mentoring, and timely hitting. Beyond this season, it is anyone's guess whether he will merit a new major league contract.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said Wednesday that Ivan Rodriguez and Wilson Ramos will split time at catcher at the start of the 2011 season.

If Ramos shows progress at the plate and behind it, he will take over as the primary starter in the second half. Pudge, 38, has hit .271/.299/.353 with four homers in 391 at-bats this season while Ramos, 23, has batted .275/.296/.391 with one home run in 69 at-bats. Neither will be a great fantasy option on Opening Day, but Ramos is an attractive long-term guy.

Ivan Rodriguez returned to action on Friday September 10.

Ivan Rodriguez was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup due to illness.

He won't start, but is available to pinch-hit. Wilson Ramos will start behind the plate and bat eighth against R.A. Dickey.

Ivan Rodriguez told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez on Monday that he has no intention of retiring in the next few years.

Pudge is under contract with the Nationals through 2011 and doesn't plan to quit after that. "I think there is a lot of baseball in me," Rodriguez, 38, told MLB.com. "I'll play this year and two more." The veteran catcher is batting .268/.294/.358 with two home runs and 30 RBI over 265 at-bats.

Ivan Rodriguez went 2-for-4 and hit his second homer Monday versus the Diamondbacks.

It's hard to believe now that Rodriguez actually hit .413 in April. He's been a complete zero offensively since, and it looks like the Nationals may insert Wilson Ramos into the lineup before much long.

Ivan Rodriguez is out of the starting lineup against the Mets on Thursday.

Wil Nieves will start behind the dish and bat eighth. Mike Morse gets the start in right field against the left-hander Johan Santana.

Ivan Rodriguez is not in Sunday's lineup against the Orioles.

Wil Nieves will catch and bat ninth against Jeremy Guthrie.

Ivan Rodriguez is not in the lineup on Sunday for the Nationals' finale with the White Sox.

Wil Nieves is the backstop and eighth hitter in the Nats' lineup in Rodriguez's place.

Ivan Rodriguez is not in Thursday's starting lineup against the Tigers.

Wil Nieves will start behind the dish and bat ninth against Jeremy Bonderman.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said that he will try not to use Ivan Rodriguez in three straight games until after the All-Star break.

Pudge was on the DL earlier this month with some lower back tightness, so the Nats are going to take it easy on the 38-year-old. Wil Nieves will pick up the starts when Rodriguez rests.

Nationals activated C Ivan Rodriguez from the disabled list.

Pudge rushed his way back to the majors in order to catch Stephen Strasburg's debut Tuesday night at Nationals Park. His lower back strain probably isn't fully healed, but he wanted to provide a veteran presence behind the plate for the 21-year-old phenom. We'll see how it goes.

Ivan Rodriguez is expected to be activated from the disabled list for Stephen Strasburg's debut on Tuesday.

Rodriguez went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in a minor league rehab game with Class A Potomac on Monday and declared himself ready to go. "I'm feeling great behind the plate," said Rodriguez. The 38-year-old backstop has been on the disabled list since May 24 with a lower back strain.

Ivan Rodriguez (back) is still aiming to join the Nationals on Tuesday for Stephen Strasburg's major league debut.

Pudge ran the bases and played catch on Saturday, will take batting practice on Sunday, and hopes to fit in a one-game rehab assignment Monday before rejoining the Nats on Tuesday. It sounds like a bad idea to rush him back, but it would certainly be nice to have a veteran presence behind the mound in D.C. Tuesday for Strasburg's much-hyped MLB debut.

Ivan Rodriguez (back) is iffy to rejoin the Nationals in time to catch Stephen Strasburg's debut Tuesday.

Rodriguez is expected to be ready right around then, but the Nationals may opt to have him play in one or two minor league games before activating him.

Nationals placed C Ivan Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 23, with a lower back strain.

Rodriguez suffered the injury over the weekend in the Nationals' interleague series against the Orioles. At first he was expected to miss "several days," but now it has obviously become a bit more serious. Wil Nieves will have to man starting catcher duties for a little while.

Nationals manager Mike Rizzo said Sunday that the team hasn't ruled out placing Ivan Rodriguez (back) on the disabled list.

Rodriguez, in fact, will not make the trip to San Francisco. He left Saturday's game with back pain and missed Sunday's game. For now, Wil Nieves will be the starter with Rodriguez out and Mike Morse will serve as the backup behind the plate. Stay tuned for more information on Pudge's status.