Watch now:
MLB Players Report for Summer Camp
(2:30)
When the regular 60-game season begins later this month, the Minnesota Twins may be without hitting first baseman Miguel Sano. The club announced Saturday that Sano is away from the team after testing positive for COVID-19. They did not provide a timetable for their return. Twins utility Willians Astudillo, right-hander Edwar Colina and infielder Nick Gordon also tested positive.
Because COVID-19 is a “non-work-related” injury, it is subject to the privacy guidelines in the collective bargaining agreement. That means Sano & Co. had to give the Twins permission to announce that they tested positive. Without his permission, the Twins would not have been able to discuss their absences from summer camp.
MLB created a new COVID-19 disabled list with no minimum or maximum stay. It can be used not only when a player tests positive, but also when a player shows symptoms or has contact with someone who has confirmed COVID-19. A player must meet certain criteria to be activated off the COVID-19 list, including two negative tests at least 24 hours apart.
MLB announced Friday that 3,185 samples were collected during admission tests last week and 38 tested positive. (31 players and seven non-players). The test results are not complete (Athletics and the Brewers are still awaiting their final results), but the positive rate of 1.2 percent is promising. The NBA had a positive rate of more than seven percent, for example.
Sano, 27, hit .247 / .346 / .576 with 34 home runs in 105 games in 2019. He’s ready to move from third base to first base in deference to Josh Donaldson this season. The versatile and non-strikeout Astudillo had a chance to earn a spot on the bench at summer camp. Hill and Gordon were expected to spend the year at the alternate training site.
Earlier on Saturday, the Braves announced First baseman Freddie Freeman, closer Will Smith and two others have tested positive for COVID-19. Freeman has a fever and “it’s going to be a while” until he can join the team. Royals receiver Salvador Pérez has also tested positive. He is asymptomatic and in a good mood.
COVID-19 attacks the respiratory system. The long-term effects are still unclear, but there is evidence that it can damage the lungs, heart, and brain in some cases.
