The Cubs' visit to the White House provided some bulletin board material from board member Todd Ricketts and not President Donald Trump.

As several Cubs players, coaches and front office members crowded the president's desk in the Oval Office, Ricketts was caught on camera saying of the Nationals: "We're going to run into these guys in the playoffs. You'll see them crumble."

Trump replied: "Probably will."

The Cubs opened play Wednesday with a record seven games worse than the Nationals, who lead the National League East.

Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer provided some reality to the situation.

"I'm not into billboard-material quotes," Hoyer said. "We have to worry about our own house, in my opinion. We're one game above .500. That's exactly where we deserve to be. We haven't played well enough to be beyond that.

"(The Nationals) have taken care of business. These guys look great. They have run away with their division. They have lived up to their potential, and we should be looking up to them.

"They have played this season so far the way we should have played this season, and hopefully we'll play that way the rest of the year. Right now, they're in (a) better position than we are."

Cubs' Albert Almora Jr. on visiting the White House and the Miguel Montero situation. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) Cubs' Albert Almora Jr. on visiting the White House and the Miguel Montero situation. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)

Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses Miguel Montero and visiting the White House. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune) Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses Miguel Montero and visiting the White House. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)

Call for Caratini: The Cubs will look for veteran catching depth after Miguel Montero was designated for assignment. But they feel switch-hitter Victor Caratini is ready after batting .343 with eight home runs and 54 RBIs at Triple-A Iowa.

Caratini, 23, has "really matured as catcher," said Hoyer, who said several Cubs scouts came away impressed after watching him at Iowa.

"As far as confidence in him, we have a ton," Hoyer said.

Manager Joe Maddon likes the challenge of carrying two catchers — Willson Contreras and Caratini — with barely more than a year of major-league experience between them.

"For a young catcher to have that internal fortitude to do the right thing in the right moments is challenging at times," Maddon said.

Caratini made his big-league debut as a pinch hitter leading off the ninth inning of Wednesday night's 8-4 loss and grounded out to second on the first pitch.

Extra innings: Kyle Schwarber went 1-for-4 Wednesday night with a single and three strikeouts for the Iowa Cubs as he attempts to get back on track offensively after being demoted last week. ... Shortstop Addison Russell (sore right shoulder) said he's very close to returning to the starting lineup after missing his third consecutive start.