With all protocols in place, Stephen Strasburg had a good idea Monday night about what it will take to launch on the road this season during the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year’s World Series MVP threw five strong innings for Washington in a 4-2 exhibition victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez said the team took five buses for the 45-minute trip to Baltimore so that players and staff could space out, with 14 people on each bus.
“It’s pretty intense,” said Strasburg. “You get on the bus and you have to wear a face mask all the time. Then you get in, and they basically check your temperature. It’s kind of hard to get a good temperature reading when it’s 100 degrees outside.
“But if you get past that, you go into the clubhouse, and everyone breaks up. So it’s just an adjustment we have to make. But unfortunately, it’s a bit difficult to build team chemistry in an environment like this right now.”
However, Strasburg looked good on the mound. The right-hander struck out six, walked none and allowed one run won.
He said it was a “rather strange” release with no fans in the stands.
“It is just what we have to deal with. I think we are all competitors here, so the game on the field doesn’t really change,” Strasburg said.
Howie Kendrick homered, doubled, and drove three runs for the defending champions.
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