Another Marlins player has tested positive for a COVID-19 infection, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Twitter). His identity is not known at this time.
It is not entirely surprising to see additional positive evidence emerge, given the incubation period of the disease and the multiple potential chains of transmission. In this case, Rosenthal says, contract search efforts had already identified the particular player as likely exposed.
That does not change the severity of the situation. With this test, Rosenthal says, we are now up to 17 players on the active 30-man roster and / or the 3-man taxi squad carrying the virus.
There are many implications of this result. On the one hand, it seems clear that measures against the Marlins’ transmission were insufficient. The team’s protocols, and / or people’s commitment to following them, not only failed to prevent an initial infection, but they also did not reduce the spread within the organization.
At a minimum, the Marlins will now have another spot on the roster to fill with a plausible MLB player. The team has been removed from play for the time being; Whether and when it will resume remains to be seen and could still depend on whether other players end up posting positive tests.
