Catcher Tyler Flowers is one of two Braves backstops who will miss Opening Day due to coronavirus symptoms. Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Two Braves catchers to miss Opening Day due to coronavirus symptoms

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/24/20

Ahead of Friday's Opening Day clash between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker told media members on Friday that catchers Travis d'Arnaud and Tyler Flowers did not travel to New York's Citi Field because they were showing symptoms of the coronavirus.

Per Will Palaszczuk of Radio.com, Snitker claimed that both players tested negative for the virus but remained in Atlanta out of fears that they could potentially infect teammates and opponents.

The Athletic's David O'Brien added that 24-year-old Alex Jackson will fill-in as catcher for the Braves versus the Mets on Friday, and that Snitker reminded everybody there's no such thing as just a "cold" during this season unlike any other.

Revamped #Braves lineup with Alex Jackson catching while both Tyler Flowers and Travis d'Arnaud are back in Atlanta, dealing with symptoms but having tested negative for COVID-19. https://t.co/uaNaHvZ7VJ
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 24, 2020

#Braves' Freeman: "There's no such thing as a common cold (this season). If you have symptoms you're going to miss three or four days."

Said no one is going to feel sorry for Braves and pointed out Nats were without Juan Soto last night.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 24, 2020

Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto missed Thursday's season debut versus the New York Yankees after he tested positive for the coronavirus. Soto later provided multiple negative test results.

More must-reads: