The Miami Marlins feared a COVID-19 outbreak on Sunday after four players test positive for the virus. The team’s concern has been justified with 17 players and staff testing positive, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Before Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, three players were ruled out before first pitch after contracting the virus. Despite the small outbreak, the Marlins decided to play anyways before postponing travel on Sunday night when concern started to sink in.
17 Miami Marlins players, staff test positive for COVID-19
It was only a matter of hours before Miami’s concerns were proven to be right. The club canceled its home game on Monday after 11 total players tested positive for COVID-19. Now, things are spiraling even further out of control.
As a result of Miami’s outbreak, the Phillies were forced to postpone their game against the New York Yankees. With the team still waiting for its test results, the club has postponed Tuesday’s contest and the Yankees are now flying back to New York, per the New York Post’s Joel Sherman.
In the span of five days, Miami has lost half of its 30-man roster. While the team can bring players up from the taxi squad and its 30-man roster in MiLB camp, the Marlins will be playing at an alarming disadvantage for weeks to come.
Despite the outbreak, MLB is still reportedly determined to keep playing. However, the league might have to change its stance if a second outbreak sidelines the Phillies and this problem impacts other teams over the days and weeks to come.