The Yankees’ All-Star break will unexpectedly last a little longer, as COVID-19 issues have hit the team once again.
New York’s series opener against the Red Sox has been postponed due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols within the Yankee clubhouse. An MLB spokesperson told reporters on Thursday that the Yankees canceled their batting practice so the team could go through further testing after both Wandy Peralta and Nestor Cortes Jr. were added to the COVID-19 IL earlier in the day.
Reporters were asked to leave the field after batting practice was canceled.
Peralta and Cortes join fellow pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga, who was placed on the COVID list before the All-Star break. General manager Brian Cashman said the team has three positive cases, confirming they were Peralta, Cortes and Loaisiga, and three more pending, and all tests involve players, "most" of them having been previously vaccinated.
According to multiple reports, Aaron Judge is one of the pending cases, leading to Red Sox All-Stars having to get tested after sharing a clubhouse with Judge in Denver on Tuesday. ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that the other two pending cases are Kyle Higashioka and Gio Urshela.
"We're taking every step necessary to try and walk through it," Cashman said, who added that all confirmed positive cases had been vaccinated and are doing well.
Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers told ESPN's Marly Rivera that he was to avoid doing pregame interviews because at least one of the positive players on the Yankees was someone who was at the All-Star Game in Denver.
"Following positive COVID-19 tests within the New York Yankees organization, tonight’s game between the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium has been postponed to allow for continued testing and contact tracing," MLB said in a statement.
This marks the second time that the Yankees, who eclipsed the 85 percent vaccination threshold, has dealt with a team-wide COVID issue. Earlier in the ytear, eight members of the team tested positive.
Audacy MLB insider Jon Heyman is reporting that it is a “major” COVID issue with the Yankees that led to the postponement, and Cashman said no decision has been made on Friday's game.
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