Coronavirus pandemic
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A Nationals player tests positive for coronavirus, four others in quarantine on eve of opener

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A member of the Nationals grounds crew gets the field at Nats Park ready for Thursday night's opener. The Nationals will likely be shorthanded after a player tested positive Monday. (Jonathan Newton /The Washington Post)

A Washington Nationals player tested positive for the coronavirus and five others — including four players and a staff member — are quarantining after contact tracing, General Manager Mike Rizzo announced Wednesday.

Rizzo did not identify the player, disclosing only that the Opening Day roster will be affected by the positive test and contact tracing. The Nationals are scheduled to begin their season Thursday against the New York Mets with first pitch set for 7:09 p.m. Rizzo added without hesitation that the game will be played.