The Yankees are scheduled to play opening day on July 23 at Nationals Park in Washington D.C., but it seems, like everything else in 2020, things might not go exactly as planned.
The Washington Nationals are now searching for an alternative site for the season which starts in exactly one week. With changing COVID-19 protocol, the Nationals are now unclear as to whether or not D.C. will allow games to be played at Nationals Park.
The Nationals are unsure if they'll start the season at Nationals Park due to city coronavirus regulations. They are actively exploring alternate sites (Fredericksburg, Va. or West Palm Beach). Opening Day is in exactly one week.
News with @DaveSheinin: https://t.co/zZi0LzdZrA
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) July 16, 2020
It’s not actually the stadium that is causing the problem for the Nationals, rather its D.C.’s strict health protocols that state that all people including team players, coaches, and staff must quarantine for a total of 14 days if they come in contact with anyone who has tested positive for the coronavirus. Unlike other cities, D.C. is unwilling to bend the rules for Major League Baseball, which means the team would have to pull out of the season for 14 days every time someone at the facility tests positive.
After the harsh reality of D.C. health protocol set in, the team realized it would be near impossible to compete under these guidelines. In order to keep the team competing, the Nationals are exploring other possible locations, including their spring training facility in Florida, for the 2020 season.
There is no indication of what this will mean for the Yankees/Nationals opening series. As of now, no official changes have been made.
