Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez became the latest MLB player to test positive for COVID-19, joining a growing list of names before the MLB season even begins.
Royals’ All-Star catcher Salvador Perez test positive for COVID-19
Just a day after spring training 2.0 kicked off and MLB announced 31 players tested positive for the coronavirus, the Kansas City Royals revealed Perez is now one of the players with COVID-19.
MLB clubs are allowed to announced which players tested positive for the virus as long as the person agrees to it being revealed publicly. As is the case with Atlanta Braves star Freddie Freeman and three teammates, many players are allowing teams to reveal the diagnosis.
Fortunately for Perez, he is not experiencing any symptoms of the virus at this time and none of his family members have tested positive. However, the All-Star catcher is in quarantine and is urging everyone to wear a mask.
MLB players sitting out 2020 season
MLB provided players with the option of sitting out the 2020 season, which is set to begin on July 23. But, the league’s rules for this season stated that only players deemed to be at greater risk of serious illness from the virus can sit out and still receive their pay.
While many players continue to weigh whether or not risking their safety and the health of their family is worth it, several have already opted out of the season.
- Washington Nationals catcher Welington Castillo will not play this year.
- Colorado Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond won’t take part this season.
- Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and pitcher Joe Ross both opted out of playing.
- Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Leake is sitting out the 2020 season.