Four Washington Nationals players and eight staffers have tested positive for the coronavirus, resulting in Wednesday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies being postponed.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez identified shortstop Trea Turner — who left Tuesday night’s game in Philadelphia after his test for the virus came back positive — as one of the four players.
Martinez didn’t identify the three other infected players and expressed concern about their health.
“I’m just worried about the guys, I really am,” he said, The Associated Press reported. “It’s been a tough go; this doesn’t make it any easier.”
Martinez noted all but one of the infected have been vaccinated and said those who tested positive didn’t show symptoms or had minor symptoms such as a head cold. He speculated the vaccinated players had limited or no symptoms.
“I encourage people to get vaccinated,” Martinez said, AP reported. “It does help. I’m seeing it first-hand. It’s basically a small head cold, but they’re doing fine.”
It was the ninth game called off by MLB because of the coronavirus so far this season.
The game was rescheduled as part of a doubleheader Thursday.
It wasn’t the first time this season that COVID-19 infections have affected the Nationals. The season-opening series against the New York Mets was postponed after four players tested positive and in May, pitcher Erick Fedde, who is vaccinated, tested positive, AP reported.
