Juan Soto finally joins the Nationals after weeks in quarantine

WASHINGTON -- Juan Soto ran onto the Nationals Park field Thursday afternoon for the first time since Oct. 27, 2019. He was part of batting practice before Thursday night's intrasquad game, then ventured out to left field to work there.

Soto appeared to be in a good mood, based on his post-BP dancing.

Howie Kendrick and Luis Garcia were also on the field Thursday. They had also been in quarantine.

Intake testing began July 1 and workouts began July 3. Soto was in quarantine the entire time.

Davey Martinez hoped day after day he would finally hear a "yes" about whether Soto, Victor Robles and Garcia, among others, could return to Nationals Park.

"Every morning I wake up, all I can do is ask my medical staff, ‘Are they coming' and they give me a no," Martinez said Monday. "Hopefully, one of these days when I wake up and ask if they are coming, they give me a yes. That's all I can say about it. I do know we can't wait to get all these guys back and be in full force. Hopefully it will be soon."

He finally received a "yes" Thursday.

Soto's return comes with little preparation time. The first exhibition game is Saturday against Philadelphia. The season opener is scheduled for July 23 against the New York Yankees, one week from the day Soto returned. He was working out in the Dominican Republic before coming to the United States. During his quarantine, Soto was stuck working out in his local apartment.

He is expected to be the central point of the Nationals' offense this season following the departure of Anthony Rendon. Soto, just 21 years old, finished last season with a .949 OPS and ninth in National League MVP voting.

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