The Washington Nationals and New York Mets opening weekend series has been postponed to a later date after four Nationals players tested positive for the Coronavirus. News broke Thursday morning on opening day that Thursday night’s matchup would be postponed, but it was determined that in order to allow for additional COVID-19 testing, the three-game series will be played at a later date.

Initially, it was confirmed on Thursday, April 1, 2021, that there was only one confirmed positive case, which was ultimately upgraded on Friday, April 2, 2021, to four confirmed positive cases. According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, while there are four confirmed positive cases, there are five more players and one staff member in quarantine due to close contact training.

According to Jessica Camerato, Nationals General Manager said, “We’re just trying to get through these first could of days of these intense testing days and see what our current rose looks like, and then we’ll certainly make several roster changes.” Players at the team’s alternate training site will likely be called up, and it is reported that all players at the alternate training site have tested negative. If all goes as planned, the Nationals are set to host the Atlanta Braves on Monday, April 5, 2021, with the first pitch scheduled at 4:05 pm with Max Scherzer on the mound for their season opener. The New York Mets will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, April 5, 2021, with Jacob deGrom on the mound for their season opener