MLB: Five Phillies players and three staff members test positive for COVID-19

Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Players’ Association (MLBPA) have been negotiating for months about the number of games that a hypothetical season would have given that coronavirus took, so far, nearly three months of the 2020 calendar. However, and while there is no agreement yet in place, we tend to forget about the other potential bump in the road that can significantly alter the course of the year: coronavirus.

According to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia, five players in the Philadelphia Phillies as well as three staff members at the team’s spring training facility in Clearwater, FL have tested positive for COVID-19.

Per the journalist, none of the eight infected individuals have been hospitalized and the virus “appears to be under control in all of them.”

While the team confirmed the report, we don’t know the names of the infected individuals as of now. More cases could be around the corner, as 12 additional staff members and roughly 20 players are still awaiting the reuslts of their tests. Eight staff members tested negative.

MLB needs to pay attention to COVID-19

MLB will need to come up with a convincing plan to cope with the disease and what to do when there are several cases at the same time, like at the Phillies’ camp. As cases have been increasing in America during the last few days, more infections remain a strong possibility in the near future.

As far as MLB goes, this is the first known outbreak of this kind. It should serve as a reminder for us: as MLB and the union are still ironing things out when it comes to pay and games to play, there might be an even bigger barrier to overcome, and it is COVID-19.

The Phillies’ decided to close their spring training complex in Clearwater for now. “The first confirmed case occurred this past Tuesday, June 16,” the team said in a statement.

Managing partner John Middleton added: “The Phillies are committed to the health and welfare of our players, coaches and staff as our highest priority, and as a result of these confirmed tests, all facilities in Clearwater have been closed indefinitely to all players, coaches and staff and will remain closed until medical authorities are confident that the virus is under control and our facilities are disinfected.”