40 MLB Players and Staff Test Positive for COVID-19

With MLB along with the player's association all prepping up for return-to-play, the league could not help but fall prey to the grappling coronavirus pandemic. As many as 40 MLB players along with the staff test positive for COVID-19. The number is frightening. The players and staff who tested positive for coronavirus were present at the training facilities. However, there are no clues as to how many clubs have been affected, but as per the reports, it may be as many as 10 clubs to have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The outbreak.

Eight, including five players & three staff members from the Philadelphia Phillies, tested positive for COVID-19 as per the recent reports. The outbreak took place in Clearwater, Florida at Phillie’s spring training facility. It was confirmed after administering the COVID-19 test on a pitcher on the 40-man roster when he started showing the symptoms. After the outbreak of the pandemic in the training facility, the MLB has shut down all spring training facilities for deep cleaning before it reopens. These players can only return to the game after testing negative for coronavirus.

MLB’s Health & Safety Protocols.

There are no protocols to eliminate the risk of COVID-19 outbreak through the games. This is the reason that even after the MLB and the players’ association has worked out a comprehensive manual to support the return-to-play season 2020, players are falling prey to the pandemic and this will continue further. Under such a protocol, it would be not easy to identify these players. It is the most challenging aspect for the MLB to play during this kind of pandemic.

Players who Tested Positive for COVID-19.

Per federal law, the league is not allowed to release medical information. It can be only released in the public domain with the consent of the patient or knowledge means, which implies that only players themselves can reveal medical test status.

The league can only talk about numbers, but it cannot announce the individual’s name or release the same in the public domain. It’s completely the choice of the individual if he wants to reveal it. The league organized a conversation session to get a clear picture of what it is allowed to talk about, and what it cannot. No one from the league has the liberty to announce as to which team injured list a player is placed on.

Brian Cashman, General Manager of the New York Yankees said that “I don't believe we're allowed to validate any COVID circumstances. That's my understanding as of right now. This is an emerging situation that is new to us all, but I believe that's the current indication that we've received from baseball in their dialogue with the players' association."

MLB’s 2020 Operations Manual.

Major League Baseball and the Players' Association signed a comprehensive "2020 Operations Manual." This was a 100-page document that stated the health & safety guidelines for the MLB return-to-play season 2020. This document was floated around the league to make sure that the players, staff, and the baseball community as a whole is protected from COVID-19.

After the news of players being tested positive for coronavirus came in, the MLB announced that the health & safety of team members, players & their families are paramount. It also says that the league will not stop activities in any form, however, the members of the league will be encouraged to abide by an off-the-field code of conduct.