Cincinnati Reds player tests positive for coronavirus

A Cincinnati Reds player tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, putting the team’s game on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates in jeopardy and rejecting fears of another outbreak in the sport after a few outbreaks marked the opening weeks of the season severely affected, sources told ESPN.

The teams were aware of the positive test after their game in Cincinnati on Friday. The reported positive came on the eve of the St. Louis Cardinals, who have not played since July 29, return to the field against the Chicago Cubs.

The Athletic first reported that a Reds player had tested positive.

Outside St. Louis had reported no positive tests in Major League Baseball in the previous two weeks, leading to hope in the sport that after the outbursts among the Cardinals and, earlier in the season, the Miami Marlins, the sport had a period of rest.

That will not be the case in the coming days, as the Reds begin the contact tracing process and potentially isolate players who came in contact with the infected player.

Several times, the Reds have feared COVID-19 problems, only to have them unjustified. Third baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielder Nick Senzel self-reported symptoms and spent days on the injured list before negative tests allowed them again. First baseman Joey Votto spent a day at the IL before returning. And while infielder Matt Davidson tested positive, follow-up tests were negative, leading to the belief that his first result was a false positive.

The Reds are likely to undergo increased testing outside of the standard search every other day, and with the incubation period for the virus believed to be between two and 10 days, the likely postponement of the game could extend from Saturday to Sunday and even beyond, sources said. sei.

The deepest concern of MLB regarding potential team-to-team transfer. No positive cases of transfer on the field appeared on the Philadelphia Phillies after their July series against the Marlins, nor on the Minnesota Twins, who last played the Cardinals. The Pirates may be subject to increasing testing.

The Reds, a trendy pre-season playoff pick, moved to 9-11 with an 8-1 victory over the Pirates on Friday.