COVID-19 outbreak hits Marlins, at least 14 positive cases in recent days, per report
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
This is the nightmare scenario for MLB.
The news today is among the worst possible for MLB in regards to getting through the 2020 season.
We knew that positive cases of COVID-19 were going to pop up during the season. The disease is too infectious for that not to happen. The goal was that the protocols in place would prevent a widespread outbreak that could completely derail an entire team or teams during the season.
Well, we couldn’t even get past the opening weekend.
Eight more players and two coaches with the Miami Marlins have tested positive for COVID-19, as an outbreak has spread throughout their clubhouse and brought the total of cases in recent days to at least 14, sources familiar with the situation tell me and @JesseRogersESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2020
Yesterday, it was reported that the Marlins had several players tested positive for COVID-19 before their game against Philly. Despite this, that game still went on as scheduled and the Marlins won despite being short-handed. Now, with several more positive tests, it is clear that there is a full blown outbreak within the Marlins and not only do the Phillies need to be extra observant of their players, but also of their visiting clubhouse which will likely need to be completely sanitized before it can be used again.
The bigger news, though, is that now the 2020 season is in jeopardy of being cancelled again. It is unclear as to whether or not the Marlins will be able to play a game anytime soon and the league may decide that the Marlins need to just be done for the 2020 season or they may decide that the risks are too high for the league to operate at all. In short, today was most definitely not good for those who were hoping to complete the season.