The Washington Nationals just clinched their third NL East division crown in the last five seasons, but the postseason crusade will have to march forward without the help of their All-Star catcher.
According to a report by Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday, Wilson Ramos is out for the year after suffering a torn ACL.
Horrible blow to #Nats: All Star catcher Wilson Ramos' season is over with torn ACL
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 27, 2016
The 29-year-old had been having a career year, batting .307/.354/.496 with 22 home runs and 80 RBIs in 131 appearances. The timing of the injury is also particularly devastating with Ramos already looking ahead to his next contract as a free agent after the season. Now the Venezuelan, who already suffered an ACL tear back in 2012, is a longshot to be ready for spring training in 2017, which is sure to have a major adverse effect on his market.
The National will be forced to rely on Jose Lobaton to fill in as their everyday backstop, but the dropoff from Ramos to him, both at the plate and behind the dish, is fairly sizable.
