PHOENIX (AP) – Major League Baseball’s COVID-19 test sweep seems to have some success, as large teams in the United States are battling a rapidly spreading virus.
The MLB and the players’ union released the figures on Friday, saying that six out of 10,548 samples were new positives. In the week ending Thursday, a 0.05% rate. In addition to the five players, one staff member tested positive.
This is quite good news for a sport that is trying to roll out 60 short schedules next week. But players and coaches are also aware that the optics of test success relative to baseball – especially in hard-hitting states like Arizona, California, Texas and Florida – may not be ideal considering the testing demand sometimes There was more than supply for the average person. .
“If they have understood that the players being tested are required to provide jobs, opportunities, entertainment, TV, all of this – if they feel it is really valuable – then they have given up on it often for us. “It’s important for the season to happen,” said Marlins pitcher Adam Conley. “It’s sad for me if someone wants to test or not need to get it. It’s heartbreaking.”
The MLB is not trying to ensure public resources to ensure its nearly 10,000 weekly tests using private facilities. The avalanche of tests has allowed the game to be placed above potential outbreaks.
On Friday, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco and free agent outfielder Yasel Puig both tested positive for COVID-19, while Yankees infielder DJ Lemahieu of New York and first basier Freddie Freeman of the Atlanta Braves both went missing after missing the field with the virus. Returned on
The senior scholar of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, Drs. Amesh Adalja said it was possible that baseball’s rigorous testing could create a confrontation of resources in test-stripped areas, but he also thinks MLB’s investment could boost much-needed innovation and production. Testing.
“The solution here is really to make sure we extend the test,” Adalja told The Associated Press. “And perhaps because MLB must have been putting resources into trying to buy all these tests, which could actually be a way to expand capacity. I do not know if this is going to happen or not, but we want to be in a place where the test is done as quickly and easily as possible for all purposes. “
MLB’s approach to its comeback is different from that of the NBA and NHL, which both opted for a bubble-like atmosphere in hub cities. The NBA has 22 teams in Orlando, Florida, while the NHL teams will play in Toronto and Edmonton.
30 teams of baseball are planning to play in their home markets, meaning that it will include everyone. The teams have spent the last few weeks in one place but will soon begin the journey for the exhibition games.
The Arizona Diamonds left Sunday for two exhibition games in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
Archie Bradley said, “This first trip to LA is going to be new for everyone.” “The way we travel, eat and prepare from check-in to hotel. So I think the first two days of the trip are going to be huge, which seems like the weather and how we are not going out to eat, not going to the mall, not going out of the restaurant Are after the games. “
Poligo Positive for Polco, 19
Pollenko and Puig were the latest two big-name players to test positive for the virus.
The 28-year-old Polanco is an important part for the Pirates, especially when he traded the Starring Mart to the Diamondbacks during the offers. He scored 242 runs in 42 matches battling injuries last season.
Puig was recently near a one-year agreement with the Atlanta Braves, contingent on him making a physical pass. The 29-year-old posted a statement on social media on Friday saying he had the virus.
Puig said that he is asymptomatic and feels “perfectly fine.”
He hit a combined .267 for Cincinnati and Cleveland in 2019 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs.
Royals prospects Nick Dini and Daniel Tillo also tested positive for the virus. They are now quarantined.
LEMAHIEU, FREEMAN RETURN
Two All-Stars from last season – Lehmahi and Freeman – are among those who returned to the field after missing time due to COVID-19.
LeMahieu, 32, signed with the Yankees before the 2019 season and hit .327. He tallied a career high with 26 homers and 102 RBI, while dividing the time between the first, second and third. Manager Aaron Boon wants Lehmahu to build his feet and said it is unclear whether he will be ready for the Washington opener on Thursday night.
Freeman and pitcher Touki Toussaint – who had previously tested positive for the virus – worked at Trist Park on Friday. The Freeman Braves appeared fit in a video posted on Twitter account. He took swings in the cage and worked the field and could make time to prepare for the team’s opener at the Mets on Friday.
Royals pitcher Brad Keller also returned after a pair of negative tests. He immediately hit the ground for a 30-pitch bullpen session and had no problems. Athletics received good news when 22-year-old pitcher Jesus Luzardo returned to camp. He is hoping to start the season from the bullpen.
COLE’s final tuneup
New Yankees ace Gerrit Cole gave Mike Ford and Miguel Andujar consecutive home runs in an Intrasquad game that was the final tuneup for his New York debut.
Two runs in the fourth inning were the only ones he gave in 5/3 innings on Friday. He scored seven runs, walked none and struck out one batsman, with 87 pitches.
Next: An epidemic-delayed Major Season opener in the Washington Nationals’ Epidemic League of the World Series in a match against Max Schozer on Thursday night
“Gosh, it’s going to be fun,” Cole said. “It’s fake crowd noise, and 2020 is going to be coronovirus baseball.”
In addition, suspended Yankees pitcher Domingo Jermaine doubted his baseball future with a curious Instagram post on Friday night.
Jermaine posted himself in a Yankees uniform, which appears to be a picture of him pitching in a game. The post included the Spanish words that were translated: “Everyone makes history on both sides, I think I did my job at Yankee Stadium, if I decide not to come back, I will have an 11-year career Will be proud of your effort during God bless everyone who supported me “
A right-hander who turns 4 on August 28, the German – 18-4 last season – has 63 games left to serve in his suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. The regular-season is limited to 60 games this year due to the coronavirus epidemic.
comeback Kid
Daniel Byrd has made the Colorado Rockies roster after not making a pitch in the big leagues since 2013.
The 34-year-old has been through a half-dozen comeback attempts since his last appearance with the Boston Red Sox seven years ago, but he could not rediscover his control and ultimately become a player mentor and mental prowess for the Arizona Diamondbacks Became a coach.
His role with the D-backs included mentoring, but he also played fly balls and play catches during warm-ups. Soon, players started telling him that his throws were bad enough and he wondered why he himself was not on a big league mound.
Black informed Byrd on Friday that he had made the roster.
“It’s going to be a great story when he comes back and pitches well,” Black said. “We are optimistic about that.”
Rockies cut two pits, CBD ADNIPS
Rocky shook his bullpen on Friday, with veterans Jake McGee and Brian Shaw.
The left-handed McGee performed a 4.35 IRA out of 45 for Rocky last season. The 33-year-old owes $ 5,518,519, including $ 3,518,519 of this year’s prior salary and a $ 2 million purchase for 2021.
The right-handed Shaw had a 5.38 ERA in 70 performances in 2019. The 32-year-old owes $ 5,333,333, including $ 3,333,333 of this year’s prior salary and a $ 2333 repurchase for 2021.
The Chicago Cubs included veteran baby fielder Jason Kipnis in their 40-man roster. He would receive $ 370,370 salary from his original $ 1 million deal.
BOSTON RODRIGUEZ progresses
Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez is making progress towards working with the team, according to manager Ron Roniké.
Rodriguez was expected to start the team’s opening day before testing positive for COVID-19. The Red Sox are scheduled to open the season on July 24 against the Baltimore Orioles. If Rodriguez is not available, the first game could fall on Nathan Evoldi.
Angels anderson need johnny
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Justin Anderson will miss the 2020 season as he needs Tommy John surgery.
Anderson won 3–0 with a 5.55 ERA in 54 matches last season for the Angels, who drafted him in the 14th round in 2014. He has five matches saved in his two big league seasons.
Open day stars
Milwaukee Brewers say right-hander Brandon Woodruff will be the team’s opening-day starter against the Chicago Cubs next Friday. He had an 11-3 record with a 3.62 ERA in 22 starts last season.
The Pirates said Joe Musgrove will make his opener on July 24 in St. Louis. The Twins will start All-Star Jose Berrios against the White Sox in Chicago.
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AP Sportswriters Jake Sener, Steven Vine, Charles Odum, Will Graves, Ron Blum, Dave Screchta, Jimmy Golden, Jenny McCauley, Annie Stapleton and Steve Meggerjee contributed to this report.
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