Nationals announce positive COVID-19 case on eve of opening day

WASHINGTON (AP) - A player for the Washington Nationals tested positive for COVID-19, and four teammates and a staff member have been quarantined on the eve of the start of the regular season after contact tracing, general manager Mike Rizzo said Wednesday.

Nationals get ready for home opener

The Nationals home opener is just two days away and this year will be unlike any other. COVID-19 protocols are in place for the 5,000 fans who get to watch the game. FOX 5’s Sierra Fox gives us an inside look at the game day experience.

The result came from a test conducted Monday, while the Nationals were still in Florida for spring training.

They then traveled to Washington, where the club is scheduled to host the New York Mets on Thursday night for opening day.

"We’re still in the process of finding out exactly what their status is," Rizzo said about those who were determined to have been in close contact with the player who tested positive for the illness caused by the coronavirus. "They’re certainly out for tomorrow’s game."

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The Nationals planned to have a workout at their stadium on Wednesday, but it was rained out.