Apr 1, 2021 - Health

Mets-Nationals Opening Day game postponed due to COVID-19

Orion Rummler

Nationals stadium — Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

The Washington Nationals-New York Mets Opening Day game, which was set to kick off in the nation's capital on Thursday night, will reportedly be postponed due to COVID-19 protocols, per ESPN's Buster Olney.

Why it matters: More than one year after the first professional sports game was canceled due to COVID-19, it's a reminder that the pandemic is still disrupting everyday life — especially as fourth wave of infections driven by new variants looms over the country.

The big picture: This year's 162-game schedule was set to begin this afternoon in the Bronx, after the pandemic shortened the MLB season to 60 games last year.

The league saw just 17 positive tests out of 72,751 conducted (0.02%) last Friday. But five Nationals are currently in quarantine due to a positive test — a reminder of how fragile any sense of stability will be.

Go deeper: America's pastime returns

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Mets-Nationals Opening Day game postponed due to COVID-19

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