Horrible news for the Nationals ... phenom outfielder Juan Soto has tested positive for COVID-19 -- and he's now out for the foreseeable future.
Of course, the Nats are opening the MLB season against the Yankees in just a few hours ... and Juan was expected to be the team's best hitter.
FYI, Soto is just 21 years old ... but he hit 34 home runs and logged 110 RBI last season, helping lead the team to its first-ever World Series title.
But, Juan came down with a positive diagnosis for coronavirus Thursday ... and is now expected to miss at least the next two weeks -- a huge deal considering the season is just 60 games long.
Soto had already missed a huge portion of the Nats' camp this month ... after he had to self-isolate after coming into contact with somebody who had the virus.
The good news ... Nats general manager Mike Rizzo says Juan is asymptomatic -- but the MLB superstar will still need two negative tests in order to return to the lineup.