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Nationals have COVID-19 outbreak, game vs. Phillies postponed

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/28/21

Roughly two weeks after the New York Yankees had six players test positive for COVID-19, the Washington Nationals are dealing with an outbreak.

After Washington abruptly pulled All-Star shortstop Trea Turner from Tuesday's game versus the Philadelphia Phillies because it was learned he tested positive for COVID-19, ESPN's Jeff Passan and others confirmed Wednesday's showdown between the division rivals was scrapped because of a virus outbreak within the Nationals.

"Wednesday's scheduled game between the host Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park has been postponed to allow for continued testing and contact tracing involving members of the Nationals organization," MLB said in a released statement.

"The game will be made up as part of a straight doubleheader on Thursday afternoon, with the first game now slated at 12:05 p.m. ET. Major League Baseball will continue to provide updates as available."

Nationals manager Dave Martinez later said that 12 members of the team, including Turner and three other players, have tested positive for the coronavirus:

Nationals MGR Dave Martinez said the team has 12 positives, including Trea Turner. Four players in that tally.
— Maria Torres (@maria_torres3) July 28, 2021

Martinez said so far nobody is too sick, mild symptoms. It's mostly just head colds. The vaccinations have helped alleviate symptoms, he said.
— Maria Torres (@maria_torres3) July 28, 2021

The Nationals previously reached the 85% COVID-19 vaccination threshold required for the loosening of some virus-related health and safety protocols:

Rationale for Nationals-Phillies postponement, per MLB: While Nats have reached 85 percent vaccinated threshold, multiple people with club tested positive. League prefers to be cautious when game can be made up easily as part of single-admission double-header tomorrow.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2021

Martinez said the majority of the 12 who tested positive have been vaccinated. He thinks it's only one person in the #Nationals group of positives who was not vaccinated
— Maria Torres (@maria_torres3) July 28, 2021

The Nationals had their regular-season opening series versus the rival New York Mets postponed this spring because of COVID-19 issues impacting Washington at that time.

So, those 12 people (4 of them players) are going to be out until they have multiple negative tests. Everyone else will go through another round of rapid testing, and if any more come back positive, they'd be out as well. At bare minimum, Nats would need 4 new players tomorrow.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) July 28, 2021

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