After having their first four games postponed due to positive Covid-19 tests within the organization, the Nationals announced their lineup for the opening of the season today. Four Nationals players have tested positive, with several others in the organization being considered close contacts who are also going through the protocol. Tuesday’s announcement was accompanied by a dizzying series of escalation moves, which included placing collectors Yan Gomes and Alex Avila; left-handed Patrick Corbin, Brad Hand and Jon Lester; indoor fields Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer; first base Josh Bell; and outfielder Kyle Schwarber on the list of Covid-19-related injuries. Right-handed Will Harris he was also placed on the injured list 10 days after his recent procedure to treat a blood clot.
In a sequence of corresponding roster movements, Nats called the catcher Tres Barrera; right-handed Ryne Harper and Kyle McGowin; indoor fields Carter Kieboom and Luis garcia; left-handed Sam Clay; and outfielder Yadiel Hernandez your alternate training location. Washington also selected veteran collector contracts Jonathan Lucroy and outfielder Cody Wilson. Wilson was specifically designated as a “substitute player”, indicating that he can be removed from the 40-player list and sent back to minors without releasing waivers, since the affected national players are released to return to the list.
Notably, the Nationals Opening Day list includes shortstop Trea Turner – a welcome development after Turner was absent from training yesterday with the team. Manager Dave Martinez told reporters that Turner was not released to be on the field yesterday (Twitter link via Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post), so it looks like he released the protocols this morning. Turner will enter the home field of Opening Day by Ryan Zimmerman, Hernan Perez (in the second) and Starlin Castro (on the third). The Nats will give Andrew Stevenson the nod in the left field next to Victor Robles and Juan Soto, while Lucroy marks the start behind the board, catching Max Scherzer.
Nacional will hold yesterday’s postponed match against Braves in a double match tomorrow. It is not yet clear when they will play the three postponed games against the Mets, although, as they are division rivals, the rest of this season’s calendar will provide plenty of opportunities for those games to be played.