The two remaining games of the Washington Nationals’ season-opening series with the New York Mets have been delayed because of Covid-19 worries with the Nationals, Major League Baseball reported Friday.
The games, planned for Saturday and Sunday at Nationals Park, have been delayed, MLB said, a day after the deferment of the two teams’ season-opening game on Thursday.
In least three Nationals’ players have tried positive for Covid-19, the group said Thursday. A fourth player is viewed as a “likely” positive, the group said. None of the players were identified.
“For the most part, the whole team has been — we put them in lockdown and they’re self quarantining,” general manager Mike Rizzo said in a virtual news conference on Thursday.
Rizzo said he was sure that no player had broken convention, and that the group had been “very diligent throughout the whole spring training.”
“This is a serious business,” he said. “It’s about people’s health and these players. Obviously, they’re very important to me and to our organization.”
Rizzo said Wednesday that one unnamed player tested positive for Covid-19 and four partners and a staff part should isolate after they were recognized as having close contact with the player.
Per MLB’s health and safety protocols for the 2021 season, players who test positive are needed to disconnect for at least 10 days and get appropriate care and monitoring from the club medical staff. Also, they should be cleared by the joint Covid-19 council and the team physician following a mandatory cardiac evaluation and an determination that they no longer presents a danger of disease to other people.
No make up dates for the deferred games were given Friday, and MLB says it will give scheduling updates as they become accessible.
First day of the season for the 2021 MLB season was Thursday, with certain security conventions set up. Fans are needed to wear covers, sit in units and will utilize contactless mobile ticketing and concessions. A few groups are likewise limiting or prohibiting autographs. Numerous arenas will expect 6-to 12-foot buffers among fans and players.
Furthermore, players are encouraged to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
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