The Nationals could look to trade Jesus Flores over the offseason.

Flores was the team's catcher of the future a couple years ago, but after missing most of 2009 and all of 2010 with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, he's been passed up on the organizational depth chart by Wilson Ramos. Though he remained healthy this season, Flores batted only .234/.252/.378 at Triple-A and .209/.253/.314 with the Nats, and at 27, it's fair to question how much upside he has left. Ramos, who enters his second year of arbitration this winter, seems to embrace the possibility of a fresh start elsewhere. "I'm still 27," he said. "I'm in good shape. I still have a lot of talent to be a No. 1 catcher."

Jesus Flores ripped a solo shot in Thursday's win over the Reds.

It was his first longball of the season. Flores is batting just .211/.329/.402 since his recall in early July, but he does have a modest six-game hitting streak going and has an extra-base hit in each of his last three starts. He has extremely limited fantasy value playing behind Wilson Ramos, though.

Nationals recalled C Jesus Flores from Triple-A Syracuse.

Flores went 1-for-2 during an abbreviated call up earlier this season, and is having a poor campaign for Syracuse, posting a .234/.252/.378 triple slash through his first 218 plate appearances. He is not worth a look in NL-only leagues while Ivan Rodriguez is on the disabled list.

Nationals optioned C Jesus Flores to Triple-A Syracuse.

Flores only made two plate appearances in a short stint with the Nats. The club will call up a pitcher before Friday's game to fill the vacant 25-man roster spot.

Nationals recalled C Jesus Flores from Triple-A Syrcause.

The Nationals are full at catcher and are expected to use Flores primarily as a pinch-hitter. He was 2-for-13 with three strikeouts so far this season at Triple-A.

The Nationals will call up catcher Jesus Flores when Ryan Zimmerman is placed on the disabled list Tuesday.

It's a bid of an odd choice given that the Nats already have two healthy catchers in Ivan Rodriguez and Wilson Ramos. Flores will serve mostly as a right-handed pinch-hitter and won't draw many starts behind the plate.

Nationals optioned C Jesus Flores and RHP Craig Stammen to Triple-A Syracuse.

No real surprises here. Ivan Rodriguez and Wilson Ramos are expected to share playing time behind the plate with the big club, so it's best for Flores to get regular playing time on the minor league level. The good news is that he's finally feeling good after missing most of the past two seasons with shoulder issues.

Jesus Flores was 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, a walk and two runs scored in a loss to the Astros on Friday.

Flores came into Friday's action hitless in his first nine at-bats this spring. It's interesting that he hit the home run off the Astros, who have reportedly considered him as a replacement for the injured Jason Castro. As of now, it appears Ivan Rodriguez and Wilson Ramos are ahead of Flores on the depth chart at the catcher position.

According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Astros are "cooling" their pursuit of Nationals catcher Jesus Flores.

The Astros are concerned about the strength of Flores' throwing shoulder, which has caused the catcher problems for the last two years. Houston lost Jason Castro to major knee surgery last month and may have to head into the regular season with a brutally unproductive catching duo of Humberto Quintero and J.R. Towles.

Bill Ladson of MLB.com heard from a source Monday that the Astros are looking into Jesus Flores.

The Astros lost young catcher Jason Castro to season-ending knee surgery last week and need a body to pair with Humberto Quintero or J.R. Towles behind the plate. Flores has battled shoulder injuries for the last couple years, but his offensive production has been solid when healthy. He could net the Nats a little something.

Nationals MLB.com beat writer Bill Ladson thinks the team "most likely" will trade one of their catchers for pitching, possible before the start of the regular season.

He pegs Jesus Flores as the favorite to be dealt. The Nats have Ivan Rodriguez as their starter, with Wilson Ramos and Flores to battle for the backup job and prospect Derek Norris at least a year away. It makes sense for the Nats to deal from a position of strength to shore up a weakness, though Pudge will be gone after this season, which will free up a spot on the depth chart. Flores has appeared in just 29 games the last two seasons due to shoulder woes, but he showed significant offensive upside before injury struck.

Jesus Flores' surgically-repaired right shoulder is finally back to 100 percent.

Flores has missed most of the past two seasons due to his complications with his shoulder, but he's coming off an impressive showing with Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League. Of course, the Nationals have acquired Wilson Ramos while he's been rehabbing the injury, so Flores could eventually be trade bait.

Bill Ladson of MLB.com suspects that the Nationals might try to trade Jesus Flores if he shows up to camp in full health.

The Nats are prepared to go with Ivan Rodriguez and Wilson Ramos behind the plate this season and Flores probably won't be able to do anything this spring to change that. A once-promising young catcher, he has missed a majority of the last two seasons due to shoulder issues. But the Nationals may be able to score some talent for him as other teams look to add depth.

The Nationals and C Jesus Flores avoided arbitration Thursday by agreeing to a one-year contract.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo cut ties with Wil Nieves on Thursday night, so Flores will enter spring training as the No. 3 catcher. The 26-year-old backstop has missed most of the past two seasons due to complications with his right shoulder, but appeared in the Instructional League this fall and is currently playing winter ball in Venezuela.

Jesus Flores was taken off the roster for Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League last week due to a strained calf.

The good news is that the injury is not considered serious and that he could return to the roster soon. Flores has missed most of the past two seasons due to complications with his right shoulder, but is expected to enter spring training without any restrictions.

Jesus Flores (shoulder) went 2-for-3 with a double and a passed ball in his first game with Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League on Monday.

Flores recently played in the Instructional League, as well, and is expected to have no restrictions with his shoulder headed into spring training. The Nationals will almost certainly tender the 26-year-old backstop a contract this winter, even though Wilson Ramos has essentially replaced him as the catcher of the future in Washington.

Jesus Flores (shoulder) caught six innings and hit a home run in his first Instructional League game Tuesday.

"He's hitting the ball very at the plate, as expected," said Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo. "He's making throws to all the bases. He's getting into the swing of catching every day. He's full-go to do everything." Rizzo still thinks Flores has a place with the club moving forward, though it will be interesting to see how he hits now that the club have Wilson Ramos in-house.

Jesus Flores (shoulder) confirmed that he will not play in a major league game this season, but plans to play in the Instructional League this fall.

"I feel stronger and my goal right now is to get in shape, feel 100 percent and get ready for next season," said Flores. The 25-year-old was once considered Washington's catcher of the future, but that appears in doubt now that the team has acquired Wilson Ramos from the Twins.

Jesus Flores (shoulder) is scheduled to resume his throwing program Monday.

Flores has been shut down for the last two weeks with discomfort in his surgically-repaired throwing shoulder. He will slowly resume baseball-related workouts until he is cleared for a minor league rehab assignment -- hopefully in about three weeks. There is no timetable for his return.

Jesus Flores (shoulder) has again been shut down from his throwing program.

Flores underwent surgery to replace a torn labrum last fall and is still struggling with discomfort linked to that procedure. Nats GM Mike Rizzo said he's hoping the young catcher will get back to rehabbing after the All-Star break. It's not known if he will return to the big leagues this season.