COVID-19 is beginning to wreak havoc across Major League Baseball, again.
On Friday, the Rockies placed four players — pitchers Antonio Senzatela, Yency Almonte, Jhoulys Chacin and outfielder Yonathan Daza — on the COVID-19 injured list. It remains unclear how many of the quartet reported positive tests.
In addition, Colorado manager Bud Black and first-base coach Ron Gideon are not available for the team’s Friday night home game against the Dodgers because of COVID protocols. Black recently served on the coaching staff for the National League during Tuesday’s All-Star Game at Coors Field. His team’s game was still on as scheduled. Rockies bench coach Mike Redmond was the manager with Black is out, and Major League Data & Game Planning Coordinator Doug Bernier took over at first base.
“I can’t talk any specifics,” Redmond said. “All I can say is these guys are in MLB’s contact tracing protocols. I wish I could give you more but I can’t.”
The Rockies’ own bout with COVID-19 comes on the heels of a similar situation unfolding in The Bronx. On Thursday, the Yankees placed three players on the COVID-19 IL and were forced to postpone a game against the Red Sox. On Friday, three more Yankees hit the COVID IL, including All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge and starting third baseman Gio Urshela.
After further testing and contact tracing revealed no new positive tests amongst both the Yankees and Red Sox, the commissioner’s office gave the go-ahead for the two teams to play on Friday.
Both the Yankees and Rockies are among teams to have surpassed MLB’s 85 percent vaccination threshold, a mark that, once reached, allows a relaxation of clubhouse restrictions.
The recent cases fuel concern of a greater outbreak, especially with representatives from all 30 teams, including Judge and Black, convening in Denver this past week for the All-Star Game. As of Friday evening, no other organization had reported a positive test.
— with AP