Astros Major League Pitching Staff, Coach Absent From Camp After Potential COVID-19 Exposure

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(SportsRadio 610) -- The Astros' major league pitching staff and pitching coach Brent Strom did not attend Sunday's workout at Minute Maid Park because they were in close contact with the staffer who may have been exposed to COVID-19, manager Dusty Baker said. 
The Astros were supposed to play a simulated intrasquad Sunday, but those plans were derailed Saturday after it was revealed a staff member potentially had been exposed to the virus. 

"He was part of that exposure that they talked about," Baker said. "That's what that was, part of the precautionary exposure and hopefully we'll get some news tomorrow."

All of the Astros' major league pitchers and staff members who had been working on the visiting side of Minute Maid Park were tested for the coronavirus, Baker said.

It remains unclear what happens if a team has to be shut down because test results are not in, or if a player/coach is potentially exposed to the virus.

11 days before opening day and it doesn't seem like anyone knows MLB's protocol for if a team has to be shutdown because test results aren't in or if a team has a player/coach get exposed which is why the Astros cancelled 2 workouts this week. This is a problem

— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) July 12, 2020

Here’s my exchange with Dusty Baker about knowing the protocol if what forced the Astros to cancel 2 workouts over a 6-day stretch happens after the season starts pic.twitter.com/ShRerfvvEM

— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) July 12, 2020

The Astros hope to be back at full staff by Monday.

Despite scheduling hiccups in the past week, the Astros want to play a nine-inning simulated intrasquad game Monday, but that will depend on the latest COVID-19 test results.

Bench coach Joe Espada said Sunday that ideally, the Astros would play three to four games this week in preparation for the season's start, which for the Astros is scheduled for July 24 against the Seattle Mariners. 

The Astros were back on the field Sunday after being forced to cancel Saturday's workout because of the staff member possibly being exposed. 

Still, the Astros coaches who spoke with reporters Sunday seemed upbeat, even with the frustration of losing an entire day's workout.

It was the second practice they canceled since Monday, when COVID-19 test results did not arrive in time for them to take the field. 

"It definitely affects (our daily routine), but we're doing what we can do with the people we can do it with, the people who are available," Baker said. "So, we've got to continue to get the guys ready who are here. The guys have a great attitude about things, no complaining. Everybody who was supposed to show up, showed up.

"You don't like it, but at the same time, you have to adjust. You have to make the best of a potentially bad situation and I'm proud of the guys on how they've responded."

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