Tonight’s game between the Cardinals and Brewers has been postponed, as more Cardinals’ players reportedly test positive for COVID-19.
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, three St. Louis players and three staff have tested positive.
Tonight’s postponement will be the second is as many nights for the Brewers and Cardinals.
Heyman also tweeted that the Marlins’ count for positive tests is at 18, and that the Phillies, who played the Marlins on opening weekend, have had no positive tests.
In sum, there are now eight teams that have been affected, because of either positive tests or related fallout (either exposure to the virus or scheduling issues).
Those teams are the Marlins, Phillies, Brewers, Cardinals, Nationals, Yankees, Orioles, and Blue Jays.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic noted that last week’s COVID-19 testing produced a positive rate of 0.2%.
However, with teams needing to shut down and isolate, and others having games wiped out, there is serious concern about whether the 2020 season can continue.
Yesterday’s warning from Commissioner Rob Manfred about the need for increased diligence may be the final warning for the viability of this season.
Former player Jerry Hairston Jr. tweeted that much of MLB is upset with the Marlins, and now the Cardinals, for allegedly not following safety protocols designed to mitigate spread of the virus.
Hairston adds that the majority of players are trying to take the steps necessary to stay safe.
This may be the critical juncture for the 2020 season.
Yesterday’s agreement on seven-inning doubleheaders is one attempt to make up as many games as possible.
If more teams experience spreading of the virus and more games are impacted, the Commissioner may have to take action in the very near future.
There are rumors that the assessment of the 2020 season may come as early as Monday.
The next 48 hours are clearly critical for Major League Baseball.
