BREAKING: MLB cancels Marlins' home opener due to coronavirus outbreak as 14 players and coaches test positive
Major League Baseball has cancelled games in Miami and Philadelphia after at least 14 Marlins players tested positive for coronavirus.
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal first reported the cancellation of Monday's Miami-Baltimore Orioles game on Twitter, adding that the Marlins are still in Philadelphia, where they played on Sunday. Other outlets have since confirmed the news, although it has yet to be announced officially.
And in a piece for The Athletic, Rosenthal also reported that team officials were aware that four players had tested positive before Sunday's game in Philadelphia. Two infectious-disease specialists told Rosenthal that the positive cases were a sign of a 'clear outbreak.'
Sources told Rosenthal that the four positive tests were not enough for either MLB or the team to postpone Sunday's game. Since then, however, ESPN has reported that eight more players and two coaches have also tested positive.
Marlins manager Don Mattingly looks on during an exhibition game against the Atlanta Braves
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported the cancellation of Monday's Miami-Baltimore Orioles game on Twitter, adding that the Marlins are still in Philadelphia, where they played on Sunday
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is now facing a difficult decision about the Miami Marlins
As a precaution, Phillies players are being tested and the visiting locker room is being sanitized ahead of Monday's game against the visiting Yankees, which could also be postponed
As a precaution, Phillies players are being tested and the visiting locker room is being sanitized ahead of Monday's game against the visiting New York Yankees, which could also be postponed.
'Phillies visiting clubhouse is being fumigated "50 different ways" with Marlins there all weekend as a Yankees prepare to go in there,' MLB Network's John Heyman wrote on Twitter. 'Phils-Yanks hasn't been canceled yet but it's a possibility.'
The Marlins-Orioles postponement marked MLB's first major coronavirus setback since the pandemic-delayed season opened on Thursday.
'This is MLB's biggest fear unfolding at the worst time for them,' ESPN's TJ Quinn wrote on Twitter.
Several recent cases had already been reported, but ESPN's Jeff Passan and Jesse Rogers reported the latest infections on Monday morning.
The team stayed an extra night in Philadelphia due to coronavirus concerns, with the expectation that the team would fly Monday morning in advance of their home opener.
Miami Marlins officials were reportedly aware that several players had tested positive before Sunday's game in Philadelphia, which two infectious-disease specialists said were a sign of a 'clear outbreak.' Sources told Rosenthal that the positive tests were not enough for either MLB or the team to postpone Sunday's game. Since then, however, ESPN has reported that eight more players and two coaches have also tested positive. (Left) Miguel Rojas and Isan Diaz celebrate a home run on Sunday in Philadelphia. (Right) Mattingly changes pitchers as catcher Francisco Cervelli, right, looks on during the fourth inning
The cancellation marked MLB's first setback since the pandemic-delayed season opened
But before the Marlins could depart, reports surfaced that MLB had cancelled the game entirely and that the team was stranded.
Harold Ramirez is one of several Marlins to test positive, according to multiple reports
Catcher Jorge Alfaro's diagnosis revealed Friday, and on Sunday, it was reported that right-hander Jose Urena had tested positive, as did first baseman/designated hitter Garrett Cooper and outfielder Harold Ramirez.
'We're more comfortable flying as a group later,' Marlins manager Don Mattingly said before Monday's game was cancelled, according to ABC-6 in Philadelphia.
Urena was supposed to pitch in Sunday's series finale at Philadelphia, but that start was given to Robert Dugger. The Marlins ended the day with an 11-6 victory to take two of the three in the season-opening series.
The plan to stay an extra night in Philadelphia means the Marlins won't get to Miami until hours before their home opener Monday night against the Baltimore Orioles.
'We're taking risks every day,' Mattingly told reporters. 'That's what the players all around the league are doing. You travel all the time (and) it's a risk that we take. We're going to have to be adjustable, we're going to have to be flexible, we're going to have to be patient.'
Jesus Aguilar (No. 24), Brian Anderson (No. 15), Francisco Cervelli (No. 29), and Corey Dickerson (No. 23) of the Marlins react after a three run home run by Anderson on Sunday
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