Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale tested positive for COVID-19 and is not available for his scheduled Sunday start, according to multiple reports.
An outbreak of the coronavirus has hit the Red Sox hard in the midst of a postseason chase. He is the 12th player, along with two coaches, to be quarantined for either testing positive or being a close contact of someone who did.
Sale was scheduled to start Sunday afternoon in Chicago against his former team, the American League Central-leading White Sox. Boston opens a three-game series at Guaranteed Rate Field on Friday.
The latest positive test for the Red Sox comes as the team made headlines following Hunter Renfroe’s claim that Major League Baseball asked the team to stop testing and to treat symptoms only.
“MLB basically told us to stop the testing and just treat the symptoms,” Renfroe said in an interview Thursday with Lou Merloni and Christian Fauria on WEEI radio. “We’re like, ‘No. We’re gonna figure out what’s going and keep this thing under control.'”
The Red Sox on Thursday said the team continues to follow all MLB protocols related to testing, treatment and quarantine.
“We have been following MLB’s COVID-19 protocols all season long. We have consulted closely with them on everything we’ve done and continue to test and their medical staff has been very supportive,” the team statement said.
An adjustment to the starting rotation was expected based on Sale’s status and the upcoming schedule: six road games in six days beginning Friday before a scheduled day off next Thursday.
The Red Sox enter play Friday with a one-game lead in the AL wild-card standings.
–Field Level Media