Miami Marlins

Major League Baseball has issued a statement about its COVID-19 test results in the wake of the outbreak that has affected the Miami Marlins. 

Per the statement, the Marlins are the only organization that has returned positive tests for on-field personnel in over 6,400 tests that have been administered since June 24:

MLB statement... pic.twitter.com/zJ681SwLsp

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2020

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Tuesday that the Marlins had four new positive tests, bringing their total number up to 17 positives over the past five days. 

As a result, MLB announced it has postponed the Marlins schedule through Sunday, and "out of an abundance of caution," the Philadelphia Phillies' home-and-home series against the New York Yankees this week has been postponed. 

The Marlins played the Phillies in a three-game series in Philadelphia over the weekend. 

Per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Phillies haven't had any players or coaches return a positive test thus far.

The updated information comes four days after MLB announced a total of 99 positive cases from 32,640 tests administered since the testing program began earlier this month. 

 

Four more Miami Marlins players have reportedly received positive COVID-19 tests amid the club's outbreak.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the update Tuesday:

Marlins remain in Philadelphia. One of previous team members to test positive had a subsequent test come back negative, source says. Would need two negatives at least 24 hours apart to become eligible to return. https://t.co/EG0HkVib9P

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2020

The Marlins had at least 14 known coronavirus cases among players and coaches as of Monday, per ESPN's Jeff Passan and Jesse Rogers.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said during an appearance on MLB Network on Monday he was hopeful the Marlins could return to action by Wednesday or Thursday. He noted a meeting with league owners didn't contain any discussion about halting the season:

"We talked about the situation. I think most of the owners realize that we built protocols anticipating that we would have positive tests at some point during the season, that the protocols were built in order to allow us to continue to play through those positives. I think there was support for the notion that we believe that the protocols are adequate to keep our players safe."

Along with the Marlins and Baltimore Orioles, the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies had their Monday and Tuesday games postponed. The Phillies played against Miami over the weekend.

Marlins CEO Derek Jeter released a statement Monday:

"The health of our players and staff has been and will continue to be our primary focus as we navigate through these unchartered waters. After a successful Spring 2.0, we have now experienced challenges once we went on the road and left Miami. Postponing tonight's home opener was the correct decision to ensure we take a collective pause and try to properly grasp the totality of this situation. We have conducted another round of testing for our players and staff, and our team will all remain in Philadelphia pending the results of those tests, which we expect later today. We will provide additional information as soon as it becomes available."

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported the Marlins could have trouble filling out their 30-man roster as a result of the high number of positive tests:

Marlins may have hard time filling out 30-man active roster considering their outbreak of positives. Currently trying to figure out how to make it work since many candidates for callup are currently are not on 40-man. Might — might — have to consider playing with less than 30.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 28, 2020

Miami was scheduled to play Baltimore at home Monday and Tuesday before traveling north to face the O's on the road Wednesday and Thursday. The Marlins are slated to return home Friday for six games, three each against the Phillies and Washington Nationals.

It's unclear when the club will resume play and whether the condensed 60-game regular-season schedule will leave enough time for all postponed games to take place if there's an extended pause.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday the 2020 MLB season may be in "danger" after an outbreak involving the Miami Marlins led to over a dozen positive COVID-19 tests.

Steven Wine of the Associated Press provided comments Fauci, the longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, made about the situation on ABC's Good Morning America.

"This could put it in danger," Fauci said. "I don't believe they need to stop, but we just need to follow this and see what happens with other teams on a day-by-day basis."

Here's a look at the full interview (Marlins discussion begins at 4:20):

.@ABC NEWS EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Anthony Fauci speaks to @GStephanopoulos about his response to Pres. Trump’s tweets, how states can avoid COVID-19 surges and why he is “cautiously optimistic” about a vaccine. https://t.co/JgCvhTifYS pic.twitter.com/BOcoCbyrqa

— Good Morning America (@GMA) July 28, 2020

Fauci helped kick off the 2020 season by throwing out the first pitch before the reigning World Series champion Washington Nationals hosted the New York Yankees last Thursday.

"Major League Baseball—the players, the owners, the managers—have put a lot of effort into getting together and putting protocols that we feel would work," he said Tuesday on GMA. "It's very unfortunate what happened with the Miami [Marlins]."

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred explained during an appearance on the MLB Network he was hopeful the Marlins could be back on the field within a few days.

"We're waiting to see exactly what we get in terms of test results before we make a decision," he said Monday. "Right now, the only thing that's firm is if the test results result in negatives for the rest of the [Marlins], we would play at least two in Baltimore on Wednesday and Thursday."

Manfred said the league's COVID-19 protocols "allow us to continue to play through those positives," which they expected to pop up throughout the 60-game season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

He added that trying to utilize the "bubble" format being used by the NBA and NHL to resume their seasons wasn't a realistic option for MLB.

"I think the decision that we made with respect to the bubble was the right one. We're different than other sports," Manfred said on the MLB Network. "... I think the NBA and the NHL have an advantage of smaller numbers of players, shorter period of time; I understand why they did what they did. I'm just not sure it was workable for us."

Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels agreed with that sentiment Monday during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan Radio in Dallas.

"I don't think it would work [because of the size of it]," Daniels said. "In basketball, the size of the roster and the number of people is so much smaller. To have enough players, to have a backup for normal injuries, not even COVID, necessarily. And the number of staff. ... I just think, logistically, it was just too big of an operation. We looked at it originally, and I was a little skeptical that we would pull it off."

Along with the Marlins' game against the Orioles, the clash between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies was also postponed Monday. The Phillies played against Miami over the weekend.

The MLB regular season is slated to run through Sept. 27 if everything remains on schedule.

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Bleacher Report's David Gardner interviews athletes and other sports figures for the podcast How to Survive Without Sports.

Despite knowing multiple players had tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Miami Marlins players decided via group text messages they would play.

Manager Don Mattingly said infielder Miguel Rojas led the group text. 

"He's kind of an unofficial team captain of our club," Mattingly said, per Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "He's always texting the group and getting the feelings of the group. So when we're dealing with situations or things, that's usually who we're working through."

Rojas said the Marlins never considered opting out of the game.

“That was never the mentality,” Rojas said. “We knew that this would happen at some point. We came to the ballpark and we were ready to play. That was never our thought that we weren’t going to play.”

Major League Baseball postponed Miami's scheduled home opener Monday against the Baltimore Orioles after at least 14 team members (12 players, two coaches) tested positive for COVID-19. All of those players and coaches were positive for COVID for Sunday's game; 10 of those people were at the ballpark, potentially putting members of the Phillies at risk. 

MLB also postponed Monday's scheduled game between the Phillies and New York Yankees as they await test results. The Phillies have quarantined members of their visiting dugout staff as they await test results as well.

That the Marlins chose to play Sunday was irresponsible, at best. If the Phillies suffer a similar outbreak, they would be understandably be angered to be placed in harm's way. The situation also speaks poorly of MLB management, which should have stepped in and taken control of the matter rather than leaving the decision up to a player group text.

Less than a week into the 2020 MLB season, a COVID-19 outbreak among Miami Marlins players and staff has resulted in the postponement of their home opener against the Baltimore Orioles.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic shared the statement from Major League Baseball confirming the decision, along with the postponement of the New York Yankees' game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Statement from MLB pic.twitter.com/nP1xvOe8hU

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2020

Jeff Passan and Jesse Rogers of ESPN first reported eight more players and two coaches have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the team's total to at least 14.

The team remains in Philadelphia, where it will undergo further testing. Players and coaches who tested positive will be placed into quarantine until they have two negative tests at least 24 hours apart.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred spoke on the matter on ESPN on Monday night. Manfred said the two Orioles-Marlins games scheduled to be played in Miami on Monday and Tuesday would not be played. If the Marlins produce "acceptable" test results, they will return to action in Baltimore on Wednesday.

Manfred did not say whether Monday and Tuesday's postponed games would be rescheduled to be played in Baltimore, only saying that the Marlins and Orioles would play "at least two" games in Baltimore this week—pending test results.

Marlins CEO Derek Jeter later released a statement about the postponement:

pic.twitter.com/kLfBiic706

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) July 27, 2020

Passan later reported the Orioles are returning to Baltimore on Monday night "ensuring Tuesday's game won't be played at Marlins Park, either." Passan added "at some point" the Marlins are expected to travel to Baltimore for games that are currently scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

According to Jayson Stark and Rosenthal of The Athletic: "There are no specific standards within the health and safety protocols that trigger the shutdown of a team or all teams. That decision is solely in the hands of commissioner Rob Manfred."

The commissioner has the power to suspend or cancel the 2020 season should an outbreak create a disruption in competitive balance.

Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported the Phillies are quarantining their visiting clubhouse staff. The Yankees traveled with their own clubhouse staff for the scheduled series.

Discussions about whether to play Yankees-Phillies game are ongoing. Not canceled yet but seems like strong chance it will be. Phillies players aren’t reporting symptoms but they are awaiting test results (as of now they’ve had no positives since some on intake)

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 27, 2020

While the swiftness of the outbreak may come as a surprise, MLB's plan for the 2020 season always carried significant risks. By allowing players to travel by air, stay in hotels and interact with the general public—to essentially move forward as if this were a normal season—MLB was all but guaranteeing several employees would test positive throughout the year.

The Marlins' outbreak provides a stark contrast to what is being done by the NBA, which has seen zero positive tests among players since sequestering them in a "bubble" in Orlando, Florida.

MLB's rapid descent from Opening Day joy to fear of an outbreak that forces the season's cancellation may provide an example for the NFL, which is also planning its 2020 season without a so-called bubble.

The Miami Marlins are reportedly staying in Philadelphia for an extra day following Sunday's 11-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies because of concerns about COVID-19 within the team. 

According to Steven Wine of the Associated Press, Miami plans on traveling home Monday and arriving shortly before it hosts the Baltimore Orioles in the home opener. Wine noted the team did not provide a reason for scratching right-hander Jose Urena from Sunday's game, instead giving the ball to Robert Dugger.

"The guys that tested positive are quarantined here in Philly," manager Don Mattingly said of the possibility multiple Marlins will remain in Philadelphia.

Wine provided more details, explaining catcher Jorge Alfaro was placed on the injured list Friday.

"We were more comfortable flying as a group later," Mattingly said. "We're talking about these guys traveling back home to their families and their kids, and it's the reason we want to be safe."

Miami has been one of the hotspots in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Marlins have yet to play a home game this season. Their first series was in Philadelphia, where they won two out of three, and they also played the Atlanta Braves in road exhibitions Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Braves have been without catchers Tyler Flowers and Travis d'Arnaud after they both showed symptoms of COVID-19.

Miami is scheduled to face the Orioles in Miami on Monday and Tuesday and then again in Baltimore on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Miami Marlins confirmed four players from their 60-player pool have tested positive for COVID-19.

"This is ongoing," Marlins president of baseball operations, Michael Hill, told reporters Saturday. "We've very pleased that a majority of our players made it through intake without it, but this is a daily battle, the disease is still out there. The pandemic is still out there. Florida's recording record highs and daily reports of the virus. We have to continue to be mindful. We have to continue to be smart. We have to continue to be disciplined as players, as staff, as an organization, because you know this is a daily and ongoing battle."

Hill said three of the players were already in quarantine after testing positive within the last two weeks. Another tested positive at Wednesday's mandatory screening.

None of the players who tested positive gave permission for their condition to be disclosed publicly. The players will not be able to participate in team activities until they are symptom free for at least 72 hours and have two negative tests at least 24 hours apart, per MLB's COVID policy.

MLB did not implement a so-called "bubble" like the NHL or NBA for its 2020 season, instead having players report to their respective markets. Teams will play a regional schedule to limit travel but will nonetheless still be staying in hotels and flying to opponent cities. 

MLB is planning regular screenings at the ballpark, and players must take temperature tests and answer questions about potential exposure daily.

Thirty-one players tested positive for COVID-19 during MLB's first round of tests. 

Derek Jeter has now seen both sides of negotiations between players and owners, but he believes the latest conflict was embarrassing.

The Miami Marlins part owner discussed the situation on Line Drive:

Earlier tonight : Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter says “There is no trust..” between the players and owners. Full clip. pic.twitter.com/2VqX47dzRA

— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) July 1, 2020

"It was disappointing, it was embarrassing at times; the back and forth," Jeter said of the failed negotiations (h/t Mark Townsend of Yahoo Sports). "There is no trust (between the owners and players) is the best way to put it."

The start of the 2020 season was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, but a potential return was consistently pushed back as the league and players association traded proposals without an agreement.

Commissioner Rob Manfred went from saying on the day of the MLB draft there was "100 percent" chance the season would happen to saying he was "not confident" just a few days later, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

At one point, the players walked away from the table with the message that they just want to play, "tell us when and where."

Several notable players repeated the line on social media, including Mike Trout and Max Scherzer. 

Jeter, who spent 20 seasons in the majors with the New York Yankees, didn't appreciate the players drawing the debate out in public. 

"I get it, I was a player," the Hall of Famer said. "I feel as though players should fight for everything that they feel as though they should have. And I'll always support them in that sense. But, in this particular case, I think some things should have been done behind the scenes."

Manfred eventually implemented a 60-game season that will begin on July 23.    

The Miami Marlins selected Minnesota pitcher Max Meyer with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft on Wednesday.

According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Meyer and the Marlins have already struck a deal:

Max Meyer received a bit below the $7,221,200 slot for pick No. 3. Electric stuff, fantastic athlete. Pending physical. #Marlins

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 11, 2020

Meyer, 21, went 3-1 with a 1.95 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 46 strikeouts in 27.2 innings during the truncated college baseball season.

#MLBDraft: The @Marlins draft RHP @mxmeyer22 from the University of Minnesota with the 3rd overall pick.

-Courtesy of @MLBNetwork.#Marlins #MLB pic.twitter.com/aHkjd0Pokl

— FanDuel Sports Network Florida & Sun (@FanDuelSN_FL) June 10, 2020

He is the highest-drafted pitcher in Minnesota history and joins Paul Molitor (No. 3 pick in 1977) as the Gophers' highest-drafted players regardless of position. No Minnesota player had been taken in the top 10 since Dan Wilson in 1990.

Glen Perkins, who was taken No. 22 overall in 2004, was previously the highest-drafted pitcher in Minnesota history.

"I like to tell them that they're getting a winner," Meyer said of what he told teams coming into the draft, per Dane Mizutani of the Pioneer Press. "I feel like I'm competitive and confident enough to succeed at the next level. I just trust my abilities. I'm going to be the same pitcher in pro ball that I am in college and I was in high school."

Meyer was MLB.com's ninth-rated prospect in the 2020 draft class. His fastball and slider were given 70 grades, but he was given only a 55 overall—thanks in large part to questions over his lean frame (6'0", 185 pounds).

Despite questions about his size, Meyer has a fastball that is regularly in the mid-to-high 90s and by far the best slider in this class. 

Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter released a statement Monday on the team's official Twitter account regarding the ongoing protests against racial injustice and police violence around the country:

pic.twitter.com/rObsemS29n

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) June 1, 2020

There have been protests in dozens of U.S. cities over the past several days after George Floyd, an unarmed African American man, died while in police custody after a Minneapolis police officer restrained him by kneeling on his neck. The officer, Derek Chauvin, has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. 

Though some demonstrations have turned violent, Jeter said it was "encouraging" to see people around the world "speaking out and protesting."

"Please do not allow anyone to demonize those who are standing up against these acts," the Baseball Hall of Famer said. 

Jeter defended the right to protest in the past when asked about athletes kneeling during the national anthem in 2017.

"They're focused so much on the fact that they are kneeling as opposed to what they're kneeling for," he said at the time, per Christian Red of the New York Daily News. "Peaceful protests are fine. You have your right to voice your opinion. As long as it's a peaceful protest, everyone should be fine with that."

The former New York Yankees star now becomes one of the more prominent voices in baseball to speak on the current social climate.