Thursday was supposed to be the Opening Day for every MLB team, but it turns out that won’t be the case. A few teams are being forced to play their first game later than planned because of different reasons.

The Boston Red Sox had their home opener rained out, announcing at 9 a.m. ET that they wouldn’t host the Baltimore Orioles as scheduled. Thursday’s matchup between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals has been postponed, but a makeup date isn’t yet clear.

The Red Sox and Orioles will meet at Fenway Park Friday at 2 p.m. ET, playing on what had been set to be an off-day. It isn’t weather, but COVID-19, that is keeping the Mets and Nationals off the field, putting the start to their season in flux.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo announced Wednesday that one player tested positive for the coronavirus. There are concerns of another positive test within the team, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

At least four players are quarantining because of having close contact with the member of the Nationals who tested positive.

Washington and New York won’t play Thursday or Friday, which was already a built-in day off for the clubs. Saturday’s scheduled game at Nationals Park at 4:05 p.m. ET could become Washington’s home opener, though there is no guarantee the contest will be played.

The NL East rivals are set to play the final game of their series Sunday.

New York visits the Philadelphia Phillies Monday to start a three-game series. The Mets play their first home game on April 8 against the Miami Marlins.

Washington hosts the Atlanta Braves on Monday.

Washington Nationals Park
A general view of the stadium during the sixth inning of the game between the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park on July 21, 2020 in Washington, DC. Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
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