Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner has tested positive for COVID-19, the team reported Tuesday.
Turner was pulled in the first inning of Tuesday’s 6-4 success against the Philadelphia Phillies, per MLB conventions. Turner left into the clubhouse tunnel in the wake of scoring from third on a Josh Bell homer in the highest point of the first and didn’t get back to the hole. Chief Dave Martinez said the group learned of Turner’s positive test “as soon as JB hit the home run.”
A National League All-Star interestingly this season, Turner leads the Nationals in batting average (.322), hits (125), runs scored (66), stolen bases (21) and wins above replacement (4.0) this season. Turner joins a huge number of key Nationals players who are right now sidelined.
Slugger Kyle Schwarber is on the harmed list with a hamstring strain, veteran pitcher Max Scherzer missed his last beginning with rear arm muscles uneasiness, and on Tuesday, the group reported that pitcher Stephen Strasburg will have season-ending neck surgery.
The Nationals are in fourth spot in the National League East, 7.5 games behind the division-leading New York Mets, with the trade deadline on Friday.