Yahoo Sports MLB coronavirus watch: Phillies on pause after positive tests; another Marlin tests positive
Another team has put games on hold due to positive coronavirus tests. The Philadelphia Phillies, who played the Miami Marlins on Sunday, will reportedly postpone the team’s weekend games after two members of the Phillies tested positive for coronavirus.
Despite four Marlins testing positive for coronavirus Sunday, the team still played its game against the Phillies. As a precaution, MLB postponed Phillies games so players could get tested for coronavirus. On Thursday, the team announced two positive tests — one from a coach and the other from a staffer. The team announced all activity at Citizen’s Bank Park would be canceled “until further notice.”
Greater cause for concern in baseball, as the #Phillies announce that a coach and clubhouse attendant have tested positive.
All activities at Citizens Bank Park canceled “until further notice.” pic.twitter.com/CKJi8WmJqG— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 30, 2020
The Phillies were set to resume their season Saturday, but it doesn’t appear that’s going to happen. Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Thursday that the team’s games against the Phillies on Saturday have been postponed.
Marlins announce yet another positive coronavirus test
The news comes on the same day another player on the Miami Marlins has reportedly tested positive for coronavirus, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Marlins games are currently postponed until Monday as the team deals with the outbreak. Over half the players on the team have tested positive for coronavirus since Sunday. Thursday’s positive test brings that total to 17 players and two coaches.
Another Marlins player has tested positive for COVID-19, but the team anticipated this result from its contact tracing, a source tells The Athletic. Latest positive case brings team totals to 17 players and two coaches, though one of the coaches has since tested negative.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2020
Rosenthal said the team anticipated this player would test positive based on contact tracing.
MLB has updated coronavirus protocols to prevent another outbreak
In an effort to prevent another outbreak, MLB issued updated protocols to teams Tuesday. Under the new rules, players must wear surgical masks instead of cloth masks while traveling and teams must travel with a compliance officer who enforces the league’s safety rules. On top of that, MLB discouraged players from leaving their hotel rooms while on the road, and asked that players practice social distancing with teammates when everyone is away from the ballpark.
Marlins will test players daily after coronavirus outbreak
The Marlins have also updated testing protocols in the wake of the outbreak. In a statement Tuesday, Marlins owner Derek Jeter said the team would move to a daily testing schedule.
Per Jeter, Marlins moving to “daily testing schedule.” pic.twitter.com/rpoTVwdwNZ
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2020
Jeter added that the Marlins are taking “this entire situation very seriously.”
Marlins have had a new positive test five straight days
With Thursday’s positive test, the Marlins have had a at least one new player or coach test positive for coronavirus five days in a row. The outbreak started Sunday, as four players tested positive prior to the team’s game against the Phillies.
On Monday, the number of positive tests on the Marlins jumped to 13. That included both players and coaches. Four more Marlins tested positive Tuesday, and the team saw another positive test Wednesday.
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