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MLB recap: Stephen Strasburg scratched with a nervous problem in his hand
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The MLB 2020 season has started, but COVID-19’s concerns are not going to go away. On Saturday, the Cincinnati Reds lost Matt Davidson to the COVID-19 disabled list, a day after being in their Opening Day lineup. The Miami Marlins are also reportedly dealing with at least one positive test at their clubhouse.
The Marlins, who had four unidentified players who tested positive for the virus at summer camp and placed catcher Jorge Alfaro on the disabled list for an undisclosed reason earlier in the weekend, scratched José Urena from his start. scheduled for Sunday in Philadelphia.
MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports that Urena tested positive for COVID-19, as did outfielders Garrett Cooper and Harold Ramirez. Add Alfaro and they are three starting position players plus a rotation piece.
Not long after the Marlins scratched Urena, Reds manager David Bell announced that infielder Mike Moustakas woke up feeling sick and was being pulled from the team. “We are being too cautious … If there is any doubt, we stay home,” Bell said, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Moustakas was placed on the disabled list soon after.
Also, Nick Senzel was a late scratch from the Cincinnati lineup on Sunday. The Reds did not give a reason, and it is entirely possible that Senzel, who has battled injuries throughout his professional career, is dealing with a baseball injury rather than a COVID-19 situation. The team has neither provided a reason to scratch Senzel nor has he been placed on the disabled list.
The obvious concern is that several players on a team test positive or show symptoms in rapid succession, such as Davidson (positive) and Moustakas (potentially showing symptoms). Florida currently has the second-highest number of COVID-19 cases of any state, and although the team is currently on the road, the Marlins held a summer camp at their home in Marlins Park.
MLB created a new COVID-19 disabled list this season and can be used when a player tests positive, shows symptoms, or has contact with someone known to have tested positive. There is no minimum or maximum stay on the COVID-19 list and players must be negative twice at least 24 hours apart to be activated, among other things.
Because COVID-19 is a non-work-related illness, it is subject to the privacy guidelines in the union agreement. A team cannot discuss COVID-19 without the player’s permission. So far, most players have given their approval to discuss their situation, like Davidson. Some have not.
The Operations Manual, the 100-page document that outlines the league’s health and safety protocols, requires players to wear a mask at all times, except when on the field or exercising. Players are evaluated every other day and results are expected within 24 hours, although there have been league delays in recent weeks.
Nationals slugger Juan Soto is the most notable player to test positive for COVID-19 since opening day. His test result is believed to be a false positive, although the club was still awaiting the official MLB test results until Sunday morning.
