In the past couple of days, the NBA world was taken by storm because of the news that Utah Jazz’ stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell had tested positive for the coronavirus. The New York Mets currently employ Mitchell’s father, also named Donovan, who is the team’s director of player relations and community outreach. There was some fear around the Mets’ headquarters because of the family link and because Mitchell sr. was in attendance in an NBA game between the Jazz and the Knicks.
Mitchell, in the following days after the game, regularly attended the New York Mets’ training camp in Port St. Lucie. However, the team got some good news to share: Donovan Mitchell father does not have coronavirus.
Gobert tested positive for the disease on Wednesday night, while Mitchell did so a day later. They are the only two NBA athletes so far to test positive for the virus.
Because of fear or further propagation, several top-flight leagues in all major sports have been either pushing back the start of their tournament, suspending them altogether or canceling any remainder games or events.
Upon learning that Gobert and Mitchel tested positive, the NBA canceled the remainding games of the regular season.
Other leagues that suspended operations are the NHL, the NCAA, the MLS, various European and South American soccer leagues, the PGA tour, and more.
So far, no MLB or MILB player has tested positive for the COVID-19, as it is also called.
The Mets were at risk
Upon returning to Florida from the NBA game he attended on March 5, Mitchell was performing his regular duties in the Mets’ training camp and was in close contact with players, staffers, and fans.
The New York Mets can breathe a sigh of relief for now, thankfully, as he is not infected. MLB allowed players to return home and pushed back the start of the regular season for two weeks to see how the situation develop. If it doesn’t improve, another pushback could be in the horizon.