The Marlins had four players test positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, and ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported this morning that eight other players and two coaches have tested positive (Twitter link). Tonight’s first home game against the Orioles has been canceled, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal tweeted. Additionally, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers tweets that not all new cases are asymptomatic.
The Marlins remain in Philadelphia and will not travel back to Miami as previously scheduled, according to Sportsgrid’s Craig Mish (Twitter links). In the span of a weekend, the Marlins have now seen a dozen players and two coaches test positive. Perhaps more concerning is that Mish emphasizes that Marlins players and staff have adhered to the league’s health and safety protocols.
The implications here, of course, are far-reaching. The Phillies simply shared the field with the Marlins for their opening three-game series, which will undoubtedly raise concerns among Phillies players and staff.
The Yankees, meanwhile, were scheduled to travel to Philadelphia to set up a store in the same visiting clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park, which was home to 14 positive cases. Branches beyond the immediate circle of baseball employees also exist, of course.
The Marlins have been staying at a hotel in Philadelphia for the weekend, which means the personnel present have likely been exposed as well. (GG) (taken MLB rumors)