Davey Martinez didn’t have the Opening Day roster he thought he would have before the club’s COVID crisis landed the likes of catcher Alex Avila, first baseman Josh Bell, starter Patrick Corbin, catcher Yan Gomes, reliever Brad Hand, infielder Josh Harrison, starter Jon Lester, infielder Jordy Mercer, and outfielder Kyle Schwarber on the Injured List, but the Washington Nationals’ fourth-year skipper told reporters before today’s game that he was happier with the lineup he is sending out there for this afternoon’s season opener with the Atlanta Braves than he expected to be.
“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be, honestly,” Martinez said.