COVID knocks out six for Nationals’ opener

Player tests positive, four other players, staff member out for tracing

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

Rizzo did not identify any of the six members of the organization who are involved.

“We’re still in the process of finding out exactly what their status is,” Rizzo said. “They’re certainly out for tomorrow’s game.”

The 2019 World Series champions — who finished tied for last in the NL East in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season — are scheduled to play host to the New York Mets on Thursday night, with Max Scherzer facing Jacob degrom in a matchup between pitchers who own a total of five Cy Young Awards.

“We will certainly have some roster decisions to make, depending on how this all shakes out,” Rizzo said in a video conference with the media.

The positive result came from a test conducted Monday, while the Nationals were still in Florida for spring training. Word of the test came a little after 1 a.m. Wednesday, after the team already had traveled home to the nation’s capital, Rizzo said.

The flight home was where there was close contact between the five who are quarantining and the player who was positive.

Scherzer said he was not on that team flight and traveled separately with his family.

Indians: While moving forward with a plan to change their name, Cleveland said it will not permit fans inside Progressive Field wearing Native American headdresses or face paint. The team announced the fan dress policy for the 2021 season on Wednesday in advance of Monday’s home opener against Detroit. The team’s new policy states fans can be ejected or denied entrance for disorderly, unruly or disruptive conduct that includes “headdresses and face paint styled in a way that references or appropriates American Indian cultures and traditions. Inappropriate or offensive images, words, dress or face paint must be covered or removed, and failure to do so may constitute grounds for ejection or refusal of admission.” The Kansas City Chiefs announced a similar ban of headdresses at Arrowhead Stadium last year.

Blue Jays: George Springer’s debut will be delayed while he starts the season on the injured list with a strained oblique muscle. Springer left the Houston Astros to sign a $150 million, sixyear contract with the Blue Jays. The 2017 World Series MVP with Houston was scratched from a game on March 9 because of tightness in his abdominal muscles and did not play in any exhibitions after March 21.

Rangers: Rangers reliever Jose Leclerc had ligament reconstruction surgery on his right elbow. The Rangers said the surgery was performed by team physician Dr. Keith Meister. Leclerc will be sidelined up to 14 months.

Cubs: Chicago agreed to a one-year deal with catcher Tony Wolters that pays $800,000 while in the major leagues and $150,000 while in the minors, and they designated righthander James Norwood for assignment.