Nationals have 'major' COVID-19 outbreak; series vs. Mets in doubt?
Fans of the New York Mets may have to wait until after Easter Sunday to see four-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor make his regular-season debut for the Amazins.
Thursday's season opener between the Mets and Washington Nationals was postponed through Friday due to COVID-19 issues impacting the Nationals. Washington knew early Thursday afternoon that at least one player tested positive for the coronavirus and that five total players and a staff member would've missed Thursday's game.
Per Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed later in the day the team could be staring at a "major outbreak" that could cause MLB to postpone the entire series:
As of early Thursday evening, the Mets and Nationals remained scheduled to play in Washington on Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday afternoon. Because they're division opponents, MLB would have a plethora of opportunities to reschedule up to three games if the league scraps the series.
Late Wednesday night, word broke that Lindor and the Mets agreed to a 10-year extension worth $341 million. He spoke with reporters on Thursday afternoon and said he was "honored," "blessed," and "humbled" by the club's commitment to him following the January trade with the Cleveland Indians.
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