Washington Nationals will finally open its season on Tuesday, but will do so with a scrapbook due to COVID-19 problems.
The Nats announced that initial pitchers Patrick Corbin and Jon Lester, catchers Yan Gomes and Alex Avila, first baseman Josh Bell, field players Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer, left field player Kyle Schwarber and reliever Brad Hand were placed on the injured list, although none with a specific injury.
A coronavirus outbreak ruled out 11 players, four of whom tested positive for COVID-19, although the team did not reveal which players tested positive and which are in protocols.
With so many players out, the Nationals recruited seven players, including shortstop Carter Kieboom, to the 26-player roster and signed a contract with 34-year-old catcher Jonathan Lucroy as part of a flurry of personnel changes.
Lucroy will start for Washington on Tuesday and hit eighth, as the team prepares to open their season at home against the Atlanta Braves.
In addition to all the scrambling on the list, Washington also placed the reliever Will Harris in the 10-day IL with inflammation in his right hand.
Associated Press information was used in this report.