Nationals add Kyle McGowin to active roster amid contact tracing protocols

So far, we know that Sam Clay, Tres Barrera, Luis Garcia and Yadiel Hernandez are being added to the Nationals roster before their Tuesday opener, while Jon Lester, Alex Avila, Kyle Schwarber and Josh Harrison are among the players expected to have their debuts delayed. We can now add right-hander Kyle McGowin to the roster additions, per The Athletic’s Maria Torres (via Twitter). At least one more player from their expected Opening Day roster will thus be unavailable. Reports have suggested that upwards of nine players could miss time due to contact tracing protocols, so there may be more moves coming.

There was positive buzz around McGowin for the work he’d put in refining his slider this winter. Nats fans will get an earlier look than expected. The 29-year-old has seen time in each of the past three seasons for the Nats. He has a 7.53 career ERA/6.20 FIP across 21 appearances (2 starts) spanning 34 2/3 innings. McGowin has primarily been a starter in the minors, though it’s not yet clear what role he’ll play early this season. At least one rotation spot will have to be filled in the short term, though Erick Fedde or Austin Voth could easily step back into the role they filled in spring training.

Looking ahead, the Nationals are able to add players from off of their 40-man roster as replacements for COVID-related injuries, notes Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post (via Twitter). Thus far, all the names added to the roster have been on the Nats’ 40-man roster. There are a number of bullpen arms that could be natural adds as well, depending on need, but we should know the full roster by their opener against the Braves on Tuesday.