The Nationals will run out of star Juan Soto when they open the 2020 season. He tested positive for the coronavirus and will miss the team’s opening day game Thursday night against the Yankees.
Soto, still only 21 years old, was not included in the team’s opening day 30-man list.
Despite having previously tested negative, Soto was quarantined for 14 days during summer camp because he was in contact with someone who tested positive. Now, you will lose even more time. It was last tested on Tuesday, and that result returned on Thursday morning.
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo says Soto is asymptomatic.
“I think you have to take a business approach as usual, like any other injury during the season,” Rizzo told reporters.
Soto played an integral part in the Nationals World Series title last year, posting 34 home runs, 110 RBIs and a .949 OPS in the regular season. That title race would likely have been dead if it weren’t for Soto’s two-run single draw against Josh Hader in the eighth inning of the Wild Card game against the Brewers.
In seven postseason games last year, Soto hit three home runs and drove in seven runs, good for a batting average of .333 and 1,178 OPS.
To reunite with his teammates, Soto must eliminate two negative tests.
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