CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – News that as many as 14 players and coaches of the Miami Marlins tested positive for COVID-19 rocked Major League Baseball Monday morning.
For Indians manager Terry Francona, the news was a harsh reality check as to what Major League Baseball and its teams face while trying to play through a global pandemic.
“It’s a stark reminder of the times were living in and how quickly it can go from person to person,” Francona said Monday afternoon, hours before the Indians were scheduled to open their second series of the season against the Chicago White Sox.
The White Sox are dealing with their own COVID-19 scare after manager Ricky Renteria woke up Monday morning with “a slight cough and nasal congestion” according to general manager Rick Hahn. Renteria, who will miss Monday night’s game against the Indians, underwent precautionary testing and he is isolating away from the team at their team hotel in Cleveland.
Bench coach Joe McEwing will manage in Renteria’s absence.
The Marlins remain in Philadelphia and their home opener against the Orioles Monday night was cancelled. It is unclear when they’ll be able to play again.
It was one of two games postponed Monday. The Phillies home game against the Yankees was also called off.
“We get caught up in who we’re playing and seeing if we can beat them but at the end of the day, we’re all one industry,” Francona said. “Everybody pretty much knows everybody else and you don’t ever wish stuff like that on anybody.”
Francona is using the outbreak as an opportunity to remind his players of what they can and need to do to stay safe, especially with their first road trip coming up later this week.
“We’re having the training and medical staff talk to them again and just go over some reminders,” Francona said. “They’re mostly reminders or refreshers, but because of what has happened or could happen I don’t think it hurts to drive home the point again.”
