The Cleveland Guardians“Game against the” Chicago White SoxMajor League Baseball announced Wednesday that this has been delayed due to multiple positive COVID-19 test results from the Guardians organization.
To permit continued testing and contact trace, the game was postponed. MLB will notify you of any rescheduling updates as soon as they become available.
On Wednesday, it was announced that Terry Francona, Guardians manager, had tested positive for COVID-19. He would be suspended indefinitely. Francona was not showing any symptoms. Francona, who is 63, was unable to attend the last two seasons due to a number of health problems.
Multiple positive tests from the traveling team and coaches caused the game to be delayed, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. According to sources, the positive tests were caused by some of the travelers being symptomatic.
DeMarlo Hale was the Guardians bench coach and was supposed to manage the series finale against White Sox. Francona's replacement, Hale, will remain in the same role until then.
After the league delayed nine of its 2,429 games last year, this is the league's first game this season. COVID-19 was responsible for the postponement of 45 of 900 games during the shorter 2020 season.
The Guardians may still play their next game in Minnesota on Friday, but they might have to bring in coaches from their minor-league system.
Cleveland's infielders were recently affected by a coronavirus epidemic. Owen Miller, Yu ChangAnd pitchers Cal QuantrillAnthony Castro, and all three being added to the COVID-19 injured list.
Francona is in good health after two difficult years. He managed to play 14 games in 2020 during the season that was cut short by the pandemic, before being admitted with gastro issues.
Francona was unable to perform offseason foot surgery last year, and he left the team in late July.
Francona is currently in his 10th season as a Cleveland player. Francona won two World Series titles while with Cleveland. Boston Red Sox.
This report was based on information from Jesse Rogers, ESPN, and The Associated Press.
