Reigning World Series Nationals are among the teams whose COVID-19 tests have failed in summer camp. The club had to cancel its training on Monday due to a delay in receiving the coronavirus results, and general manager Mike Rizzo expressed dissatisfaction with the situation.
“Without accurate and timely evidence, it just isn’t safe for us to continue summer camp.” Rizzo said, in part. “Major League Baseball needs to work quickly to solve problems with its process and its laboratory. Otherwise, summer camp and the 2020 season are at risk. “
Rizzo’s reaction did not go well with Commissioner Rob Manfred, reports Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post. A source said to Svrluga: “The commissioner jumped on him for that.”
While Manfred may be upset that Rizzo made his displeasure publicly known, GM’s concerns are understandable, in part because the virus has taken such a significant toll on his club. Two of the Nationals players, whose identities are not publicly known, tested positive over the weekend, manager Dave Martinez announced (via Jessica Camerato of MLB.com). Even before that, the Nationals saw the infielder Ryan Zimmermanright handed Joe Ross and receiver Welington Castle choosing not to play this year due to health-related concerns. Also, closer Sean Doolittle – whose wife has a lung condition that puts her at greater risk of contracting the virus and who is unsure about playing this season – has expressed concern about the delay in the results the Nats have experienced.
Meanwhile, this could be curtailed as the latest public relations hit for Manfred, who, after months of fighting over the length of the season with the union, implemented a 60-game schedule in June. Manfred suggested last week that the league never thought playing more than 60 games in 2020 would be feasible, although he later withdrew those comments.
