Red Sox minor leaguer tests positive for COVID-19
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 09: Raindrops are seen on the Boston Red Sox logo after game three of the American League Divison Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians was postponed due to weather at Fenway Park on October 9, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
98.5 The Sports Hub staff report
COVID-19 has made its way to the Boston Red Sox organization, as the team confirmed that the coronavirus has hit a member of their minor-league ranks in a Tuesday night press release.
“Given the timing of the player’s positive test and travel, we believe it is more likely that he contracted COVID-19 after he left Fort Myers,” Red Sox spokesman Kevin Gregg said in a statement. “Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, the club is shutting down Fenway South from all activity effective today, for at least two weeks. In the meantime, Fenway South/JetBlue Park will undergo a “deep cleaning” to fully disinfect the facility.”
The team also noted that they have since instructed all players and staff who came into close contact with the affected player to self-quarantine for a period of two weeks.
“During this pandemic, the health and safety of our players and employees and those in our community is prioritized over all else,” the team offered in their statement. “The club will continue to follow recommendations set forth by health officials, Major League Baseball, and our own medical team”
The unidentified player’s diagnosis makes him the third confirmed case of COVID-19 in Major League Baseball, as two minor leaguers players in the Yankees organization tested positive for the virus earlier this month. It also makes the player the second Boston athlete to deal with the virus, as Marcus Smart was diagnosed with COVID-19 last week.
Like the rest of the sporting world, baseball is currently on hold due to COVID-19 concerns, as the league has postponed 2020 Opening Day indefinitely.
