Nationals' Juan Soto Asymptomatic After Testing Positive for COVID-19

Washington Nationals star Juan Soto has tested positive for the coronavirus and will be out of the lineup for Thursday's season opener against the New York Yankees, general manager Mike Rizzo announced. 

Soto is not currently listed on the Nationals' 30-man roster. The first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Nationals Park.  

Rizzo told reporters that Soto was tested for the virus two days ago and only got the results Thursday morning. He'll need to test negative for COVID-19 twice over a span of more than 24 hours before he can rejoin the team, per protocols from Major League Baseball and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

No other Nationals players tested positive for the virus, per Rizzo, and contract tracing performed by the club will not prevent anyone else from missing time on the field.

"I think you have to take a business-as-usual type of approach to it," Rizzo said (h/t Yahoo Sports' Hannah Keyser). "Just like any other injury during the season."

Soto, 21, is one of the most important players in the Nationals lineup. The second-team All-MLB selection slashed .282/.401/.548 with 34 home runs and 110 RBI last year and helped Washington capture its first World Series in franchise history. 

Now entering his third full season in the big leagues, the Dominican Republic native is expected to continue his rise as the club looks to defend its title. 

The 6'1", 220-pound left fielder is likely to be replaced by Michael A. Taylor, with Adam Eaton and Victor Robles manning the outfield alongside him.