The fallout of the Miami Marlins COVID-19 outbreak continues, as the team, per information reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, informed about a new player that tested positive in the latest round performed by MLB.
Additionally, Rosenthal reports that the Marlins “anticipated this result from its contact tracing,” but that doesn’t take away the worries that the team returns to play eventually and may infect other clubs’ players and coaches.
As of now, the total tally of Marlins’ players that have tested positive for coronavirus is 17, plus two coaches. The ball is in MLB’s court now, but despite the fact that the league said the club would return next week, it is difficult to see it if more positives continue to pop out. At this point, it is hard for Miami to field a competitive roster even if it has, like every other team, a 60-man player pool.
For now, the MLB season is still going on with 28 teams, everyone except for the Marlins and the Philadelphia Phillies, the club that last played against Miami, last weekend at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies report two positives: a coach and a staffer
Speaking of the Phillies, the team has canceled all workouts Thursday at Citizens Bank Park after a coach and home clubhouse staffer tested positive for the virus. The situation is unfortunate, but there is a silver lining: no players have contracted COVID-19, at least no one has tested positive.
According to the press release, Citizens Bank Park will be off limits until further notice after the two positives. Daily testing for the Phillies’ players is expected to continue, as the team is slated to return to play on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays. That is MLB’s plan, but it remains to be seen if it can be completed.
MLB is maneuvering on-the-go against the adversity that COVID-19 represents, so plans and schedules are basically fluid right now.