Washington Nationals announce roster moves after COVID outbreak

In addition to losing shortstop Trea Turner on Tuesday night, when Turner tested positive for COVID-19, was pulled from the game in the first inning, and sent into quarantine under the MLB’s protocols, Washington’s Nationals, who did manage to snap a five-game losing streak with a 6-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Citizens Bank, also had their 24-year-old center fielder Victor Robles tweak something in his right hip on a swing late in the second game of the four-game series.

“[Robles] had tightness in his lower back on the right side,” manager Davey Martinez said in his post game Zoom call with reporters.

“So, I didn’t want to mess around, I took him out, and I’ll see how he feels when I go back in.”

Stephen Strasburg, on the IL since early June, was diagnosed with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome as well, and he had surgery yesterday.

And that was just Tuesday.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Nationals announced that three other players, and eight staff members, had tested positive for COVID as well, so there was going to have to be a roster overhaul with four players having to quarantine until they were cleared to return to the club.

“We’re going to have to add — that’s something that I’m going to be talking to [General Manager Mike Rizzo] about,” manager Davey Martinez said in a Zoom call after last night’s game had to postponed so his club could conduct further testing amidst the outbreak.

“I’m sure I’ll be talking to [Rizzo] all night long and trying to figure out a roster for the next few days, and also talk to [Pitching Coach Jim] Hickey about the rotation, and then we’ll go from there.”

“Right now I don’t have — honestly haven’t even thought about who’s going to pitch or what, I’m just like I said, my concern is the health of everybody.”

With last night’s postponement, a doubleheader was scheduled for this afternoon, starting at 12:05 PM ET, so Martinez and Rizzo and Co. in the Nationals’ front office made a number of roster moves so they can play the games today if things go forward in Citizens Bank.

• Recalled infielder Luis García from Triple-A Rochester
• Recalled right-handed pitcher Andres Machado from Triple-A Rochester
• Reinstated catcher Yan Gomes from the 10-day Injured List
• Reinstated right-handed pitcher Tanner Rainey from the 10-day Injured List
• Placed catcher Alex Avila, right-handed pitcher Daniel Hudson, infielder Trea Turner and right-handed pitcher Austin Voth on the Injured List
• Optioned catcher Tres Barrera to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday