As the MLB trade deadline quickly approaches at the end of this week (Friday 4 p.m. ET), the Washington Nationals are reportedly getting “a lot” of interest for star infielder Trea Turner.
So when the All-Star shortstop was inexplicably removed from the game midway through the first inning tonight, fans from around the MLB immediately started letting the trade speculation fly.
Multiple reports have since debunked those trade rumors, indicating Turner left the game after possibly suffering an injury on his path from first to third. Making his way home on a three-run homer from Josh Bell, the 28 year old old went straight to the locker room without celebrating the score in the dugout.
While reports have now confirmed that Turner left the game after receiving a positive COVID-19 test, that didn’t stop the trade rumors from running rampant on Twitter.
BREAKING: Trea Turner has been pulled from the #NATITUDE game…
Let the rumors begin… pic.twitter.com/PZHBBaxxjQ
— Pickswise (@Pickswise) July 27, 2021
Trea Turner was just pulled from the game in the first inning 👀
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) July 27, 2021
Is Trea Turner on the move?
He was removed from the game in the 1st inning 👀 pic.twitter.com/pAhtfJXE6r
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) July 27, 2021
Feels a little early in the game for #hugwatch, no? If the trade was that close to being done, he wouldn’t have been in the lineup to start with. https://t.co/8uihv9cdf9
— Mike Axisa (@mikeaxisa) July 27, 2021
Here we go. 👀👀 https://t.co/naztrocxsu
— Pack Pride (@PackPride) July 27, 2021
Honestly might cry a little bit if the Nats traded Trea 😥 https://t.co/0jAD48VF9J
— Frank Piscani (@frankpiscani) July 27, 2021
Notching his first All-Star appearance in his seventh MLB season earlier this year, Turner has logged 18 home runs and 49 RBIs on a .320 batting average through 95 games in 2021.
The star shortstop is still owed $4.82 million of this year’s $13 million salary and is controlled with arbitration through the 2022 season — meaning the Nationals would have to receive a significant return for a Turner trade to be worth their while.
Even without Turner, Washington currently leads the Phillies 6-1 in the top of the fourth.
The Nationals are ranked fourth in the NL East with a 45-54 overall record.
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