Juan Soto is back.
The Nationals slugger will make his season debut Wednesday, playing left field and bat fourth against the New York Mets, manager Dave Martinez said. Soto was reinstated to the roster Tuesday following a positive COVID-19 test prior to the regular season. He was available to pinch hit in Washington’s 5-3 win over the Mets, but did not make an appearance.
“I talked to him last night, he did everything yesterday and felt good,” Martinez said. “He said he’s ready.”
The Nationals went 4-4 without Soto through the first eight games of the year. The team got off to a 1-4 start, but has won three in a row.
Soto said Saturday he believed his diagnosis was a false positive, telling reporters had had followed the league’s health and safety protocols seriously. He pointed to his three consecutive negative tests in the days afterward.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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