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Monday 8:55 a.m. update: Maria Torres is reporting the Nationals are adding RHP Kyle McGowin, LHP Sam Clay, C Tres Barrera, INF Luis García, and OF Yadiel Hernandez for Tuesday’s season opener against the Braves.
Sunday 7 p.m. update: The Nationals and Braves were scheduled to start their series on Monday, but the first game has been postponed, according to Ken Rosenthal. MLB is aiming for the series to start on Tuesday.
Sunday 9:40 a.m. update: The Nationals have not announced who has tested positive or is quarantining as a close contact. However, Jesse Dougherty is reporting Kyle Schwarber, Josh Harrison, Jon Lester, and Alex Avila are among the players the Nationals expect to be without if they start their series against the Braves early this week.
The Washington Nationals and New York Mets had to postpone their season-opening series due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests on the Nationals roster. The Nationals had four players test positive and had to quarantine five additional personnel due to the virus.
The next series on the Nationals schedule is a three-game home set against the Atlanta Braves starting Monday, April 5. The series remains on the schedule but is dependent on the Nationals test results as they get through the weekend.
After the Friday news of four positives, The Athletic’s Britt Ghiroli is reporting Saturday brought no new positive tests. They will continue testing through the weekend as positives can still come up in the coming days. In the meantime, Ghiroli tweeted that “[t]he hope is they are cleared to work out at Nats Park this weekend before hosting the Braves.” The team will have players from their alternate site in Fredericksburg to replace the players who tested positive and/or are quarantining.
The Braves are in Philadelphia this weekend before traveling to Washington, DC. The Mets are scheduled to play their next series at Philadelphia starting on Monday. The Mets have indicated they plan on remaining in Washington until Sunday with weekend workouts before bussing up to Philadelphia. Jacob deGrom will make the start on Monday and is throwing a bullpen session on Saturday in advance of it.