Washington Nationals star Juan Soto tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday and will miss Opening Day against the New York Yankees.
Juan Soto tests positive for COVID-19
Just hours before the 2020 MLB season was set to begin with the New York Yankees facing the Washington Nationals, Soto tested positive for COVID-19. The 21-year-old outfielder is not listed on the team’s 30-man roster for Opening Day.
Soto, a member of the All-MLB Second Team this past season, spent two weeks in quarantine after previously coming in contact with someone who had the coronavirus. However, he returned to camp last week and was believed to be ready for Opening Day.
The Yankees-Nationals game is still scheduled to take place at 7 pm EST. According to Britt Ghiroli, the team is already working on contact tracing and Soto is asymptomatic.
Soto enjoyed a phenomenal 2019 season, hitting 34 home runs with 110 RBIs, 108 walks and posted a .949 OPS. Unfortunately, Washington will now be without its biggest star for the foreseeable future and we’ve now been reminded of the risks MLB is taking playing during the pandemic.