PHILADELPHIA -- Major League Baseball has had to postpone Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies because four Washington Nationals players and eight of their staff have tested positive for COVID-19.This was one day after Trea Turner, a Nationals All-Star shortstop, left the game against Philadelphia in inning one following a positive virus test.Dave Martinez, Washington manager, said Turner was one of four players who had tested positive. He couldn't name the other players.In late May, the Nationals crossed the 85% threshold for players and other personnel. This allowed for more relaxed protocols.Martinez stated that he believes only one person who was positive for the vaccine is unvaccinated. Sources tell ESPN's Jeff Passan, that many of the breakthrough cases were caused by those who received the Johnson & Johnson single-shot vaccine.The Nationals-Phillies matchup was to be played as part of a straight two-header that began at 12:05 p.m. on Thursday. ETThis was the ninth MLB game to be canceled this season due to coronavirus concerns. Due to virus concerns, the Nationals' season-opening series against New York Mets was canceled.MLB announced the Nationals - Phillies postponement around 90 minutes before the scheduled game at Citizens Bank Park. It stated that the delay would allow for "continued tests and contact tracing involving Nationals members."45 MLB games were postponed last year due to the pandemic. They were all eventually made up, except for two.This report was contributed by The Associated Press.
