Nationals, catcher Jose Lobaton reach 1-year deal

WASHINGTON -- Catcher Jose Lobaton and the Washington Nationals on Thursday agreed to a one-year contract for 2017, avoiding arbitration.

Lobaton hit .232 in 99 at-bats during the regular season as a backup to Wilson Ramos.

But Ramos was injured in September, allowing Lobaton to get a chance at a more prominent role in the playoffs. He wound up getting two hits in nine at-bats in Washington's five-game loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in their NL Division Series, including a three-run homer in a Game 2 victory for the Nationals.

The 32-year-old Lobaton has played seven seasons in the majors, the last three with Washington.