The cancellation of this weekend’s Subway Series marks at least four consecutive games that the New York Mets will miss and have to make up. The details of who and how the virus was contracted are still unknown to the public. Due to league rules, they cannot say who tested positive. Once someone lands on the Injured List without a specific injury, we will know the player. This was the situation with Brad Brach and Jared Hughes, but with the time off the Mets might not need to put anyone on the IL.
Breaking: MLB has postponed Yankees-Mets this weekend, sources said.
No game Saturday and no game Sunday, in addition to no game today.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) August 21, 2020
Limit the Spread
At the moment, their handling of each player has allowed them to contain the virus to only one player and one staff member. If all goes well with no other positive tests, the Mets could return within a week as the Cincinnati Reds did. Whether you agree with Marcus Stroman opting out or not, this was the exact type of situation he wanted to avoid when discussing his opt-out decision.
The entire weekend is going to be a test of how effective the Mets are with squashing a potential outbreak. If their roster and staff members were following guidelines before a positive test, then the cases will remain at two. The player and staff member remain in Miami while most of the team is back in New York.
Reports stated the flight back to New York had a different vibe to it and understandably so. Players could not eat or drink on the flight home and received assigned seats. Despite conflicting stories and articles, the Mets are taking the correct steps from preventing this from taking over the same way it did for the Marlins.
The speculation game is in full force with the situation and the Mets spending the week in Miami. Some assume it is related to going to a club, but all of that is just for show. Social media leads to some brutal fans or some wild comments from doctors who received their medical degrees through Twitter. At this point, all we can do is sit back and evaluate the information as it comes in.
Back to the Field
When the Mets do return to the field, the few days off should aid an ailing starting rotation. David Peterson and Michael Wacha receive extra time to rehab their injuries, and even Steven Matz gets some time to clear his head. The Mets also will not have to force Seth Lugo into the rotation, as they were before Thursday’s game was postponed.
The Mets and Yankees both have an off day on Monday, which could serve as a doubleheader opportunity for both teams. If not, the Mets play the Marlins at Citi Field starting on Tuesday. The Mets had a three-game winning streak and may receive the opportunity to start Jacob deGrom in their first game back.
Their schedule will be packed towards the end of the season. The Mets starters also must get deeper into the game if their bullpen is going to pitch successfully. But for now, the health of each player comes first. Once they are back to normal, then they can get back to worrying about their playoff push.