Top two Braves catchers shelved

Atlanta was without its top two catchers, Tyler Flowers and Travis d’arnaud, for Friday’s opening game at the New York Mets after both showed COVID-19 symptoms.

Manager Brian Snitker said Flowers and d’arnaud tested negative for the coronavirus but did not travel with the team because they had symptoms.

Snitker said the team is being careful because “we’ve had guys test negative and the next day they test positive.”

First baseman Freddie Freeman and right-hander Touki Toussaint are on the opening-day roster after testing positive at the start of summer camp. Left-handed reliever Will Smith and infielder Pete Kozma have not returned following positive tests.

Alex Jackson and William Contreras are next in line at catcher.

The Braves also are without left-hander Cole Hamels (left triceps tendinitis), who was placed on the 45-day IL.

In other Braves news, they acquired veteran outfielder Scott Schebler from Cincinnati for cash.

Players wore their road jerseys with “Cleveland” on the front as a statement of solidarity for minorities as the team contemplates a name change. Before the game, players wore black T-shirts that said “End Racism” on the front and “Equality” on the back.

Catcher Jorge Alfaro was placed on the injured list with an undisclosed ailment. Manager Don Mattingly said he expects the 27-year-old back this season. Alfaro hit .262 with 18 home runs and 57 RBIS in 2019.

The Yankees-nationals opener was viewed by 4 million people, ESPN said, a record for most viewers for an opener on the network. The game was the most-watched in the regular season on any network since 2011.

Infielder Jorge Mateo, who spent last season with the Aviators, was cleared to return after a COVID-19 bout.

Indians: Marlins: Television: Padres: