The Washington Nationals will eventually open their season on Tuesday, but they will do so with a patchwork schedule due to COVID-19 issues.
The Nats have announced that starting crawlers Patrick Corbin and Jon Lester, catchers Yan Gomes and Alex Avila, first baseman Josh Bell, infield Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer, left fielder Kyle Schwarber and reliever Brad Hand are all on the injured list. is. with a specific injury.
A coronavirus outbreak killed 11 players, four of whom tested positive for COVID-19, although the team did not disclose which players tested positive and which protocols.
With so many players gone, the Nationals recall seven players, including shortstop Carter Kieboom, to the 26-man squad and 34-year-old catcher Jonathan Lucroy signs a contract as part of a spate of staff movements.
Lucroy could start for Washington on Tuesday as the team prepares to open their season at home against the Atlanta Braves.
In addition to all the grid shuffling, Washington also placed the reliever Will Harris on the 10-day IL with inflammation on the right side.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.