Ten players will be missing from the Nationals' opening day roster as the club readies to finally begin its season against the Braves on Tuesday.
Catchers Alex Avila and Yan Gomes, first baseman Josh Bell, pitchers Patrick Corbin, Jon Lester and Brad Hand, infielders Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer, and left fielder Kyle Schwarber have all been placed on the Injured List without a specified designation. According to Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post, all of these players were absent from an on-field team workout on Monday.
Shortstop Trea Turner, who was also absent from Monday's workout, is on the opening day roster, however.
Right-handed reliever Will Harris was placed on the 10-day Injured List (retroactive to March 29) with right hand inflammation.
Although they've yet to play any baseball, it's been quite an eventful six days for the Nationals since arriving in D.C. last week from their spring training home in West Palm Beach, Florida. A rash of positive COVID tests has already wiped out their opening weekend series against the Mets, beginning with what was supposed to be their home and season opener last Thursday. Monday's series opener against Atlanta was also postponed, and is now a part of a traditional doubleheader to be played on Wednesday.
According to Dougherty, the Nationals ultimately had four players test positive for COVID-19 with nine others in the organization, including seven players and two staff members, placed in quarantine as close contacts to those infected. The Nationals will not disclose the players who tested positive.
With both catchers out, the Nationals have recalled Tres Barrera and selected the contract of Jonathan Lucroy, who signed a minor league contract with the organization on Saturday. The 34-year-old Lucroy will catch opening day starter Max Scherzer.
Also recalled were right-handed pitchers Sam Clay, Ryne Harper, Kyle McGowin, outfielder Yadiel Hernandez, and infielders Luis Garcia and Carter Kieboom. The Nationals also selected outfielder Cody Wilson to the Major League roster as a replacement player.
Here's the Nationals' full Opening Day roster:
First pitch of the Nationals' season opener against the Braves is scheduled for Tuesday at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Nationals Starting Lineup:
CF Victor Robles
SS Trea Turner
RF Juan Soto
1B Ryan Zimmerman
3B Starlin Castro
2B Hernán Pérez
LF Andrew Stevenson
C Jonathan Lucroy
P Max Scherzer