On Monday, Major League Baseball released to its players that several players and coaches have tested positive for Covid-19.
What We Know:
- At the moment, USA Today was told it is unknown how many players and staff have the virus or which teams have been impacted.
- It is hopeful that there will be MLB this summer, but with the rise of the virus and talk of a second wave, they are figuring out player compensation, quarantine measures, and how many games will be played.
- MLB Players Association chief negotiator Bruce Meyer stated, “The proliferation of COVID-19 outbreaks around the country over the last week, and the fact that we already know of several 40-man roster players and staff who have tested positive, has increased the risks associated with commencing spring training in the next few weeks.”
- Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball Commissioner advised that the MLB will be taking high precaution in a CNN interview. “All of our players would be tested multiple times a week, PCR testing to determine if they have the virus.”
- Some MLB players feel that the timing of this information being released was unjust and that is was a planned leak. Sean Doolittle is one of the players to express his concern on Twitter.
Wait…they leaked information about player health to the AP? First, I hope everyone is feeling ok and recovering well. But the timing of this leak is suspicious and it feels really gross. https://t.co/Vq3FlMT8rJ
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) June 16, 2020
The public health situation and the health of their players are top priority. It is possible that they could be playing in empty stands. Until the virus is dealt with and numbers decrease, answers are slim.
