MINNEAPOLIS Cleveland GuardiansFirst baseman Josh NaylorThe COVID-19 team injured list was updated on Friday to include the player who was first to be impacted by the recent outbreak.
Cleveland’s game at The Chicago White SoxDue to COVID-19 issues, Wednesday’s scheduled meeting was canceled and the team went on Thursday. After Terry Francona’s placement in safety and health protocols was completed, Carl Willis, the pitcher coach, was scheduled to take charge of Friday’s team at Minnesota.
Naylor was the Guardians only player to be placed on the COVID-19 List as of Friday.
General manager Chris Antonetti stated that there have been dozens of tests in the past few days. “We’ve been following both MLB protocols as well as the recommendations of our medical staff to determine our testing.”
Naylor is one of the best hitters on the team this season. He batting.347 in 20 games with five homers, 22 RBI and five doubles.
Antonetti states that Naylor must be out of the country within 10 days of the onset of symptoms or after two negative tests. The coaching staff from Cleveland will be returning to Minnesota this week.
Francona, who is a survivor of several health problems in recent years, now rests in Cleveland.
Antonetti stated, “He’s hopeful on the path of recovery.”
Due to the outbreak, DeMarlo Hale (bench coach), Sandy Alomar (first-base coach), Mike Sarbaugh (third-base coach), Chris Valaika (hitting coach), Joe Torres (assistant pitching coach) and Justin Toole (hitting analyst) are also absent from the team.
The Twins have also had COVID-19-related cases in the past, which include manager Rocco Baldelli as well as outfielder/infielder. Luis Arraez. Both were back in action on Thursday.
Antonetti said, “Unfortunately, there’s been a spike throughout the country, as well as a number of cases with managers, coaches, or players that have had the COVID IL recent,”. I believe that this is a sign that the virus continues its impact on the country and that Major League Baseball is not immune to it.