Trump plays catch to mark opening day of baseball season - in pictures

US President tosses baseballs with Hall of Fame pitcher Mariano Rivera

US President Donald Trump throws a baseball on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington to celebrate opening day of the Major League Baseball season. Bloomberg

US President Donald Trump catches a ball while hosting youth baseball players at the White House on opening day for Major League Baseball season in Washington on Thursday. Reuters

U. President Donald Trump plays catch on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington to celebrate opening day of the MLB season. Bloomberg

President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C, on Thursday. Bloomberg

U. President Donald Trump, centrr, and Mariano Rivera, former pitcher for the New York Yankees, watch as youth baseball players play catch on the South Lawn of the White House. Bloomberg

US President Donald Trump throws a baseball on the South Lawn of the White House on Thursday. Bloomberg

US President Donald Trump, left, and Mariano Rivera, former pitcher for the New York Yankees, talk on the South Lawn of the White House. Bloomberg

US President Donald Trump, centre, and Mariano Rivera, former pitcher for the New York Yankees, left, at the White House with Little League baseball players. Bloomberg

US President Donald Trump watches as youth baseball players play catch.Bloomberg

U. President Donald Trump catches a baseball thrown by Mariano Rivera, former pitcher for the New York Yankees. Bloomberg

US President Donald Trump arrives to mark the opening day of the Major League Baseball Season. EPA

US President Donald Trump tossed baseballs with Hall of Fame pitcher Mariano Rivera on Thursday to mark the beginning of the baseball season, which was delayed due to the coronavirus.

"You had a pitch that broke a lot of bats," Mr Trump told the retired New York Yankees relief pitcher, according to Reuters, as a number of Little League baseball players played catch.

Mr Trump had awarded Rivera the presidential medal of freedom last year.

"I watched many [games] sitting with George, good old George who is watching you right now, who is very proud of you," Mr Trump said of the late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

Asked about Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto testing positive for the coronavirus, Mr Trump said he believed Soto will recover.

"They're going to be able to take care of it," he said.

The President also revealed he will throw out the first pitch when the New York Yankees host the Boston Red Sox at the Yankee Stadium on August 15.

Mr Trump has yet to throw out a first pitch while serving as President.