CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- For the second time in three days, the Cubs on Wednesday had a group of individuals who didn't attend their workout because of delays in receiving their coronavirus test results.
Six Cubs players didn't attend the workout and intrasquad game at Wrigley Field on Wednesday. That trouble came after manager David Ross and five individuals in tier 1 didn't attend workouts Monday because of the same type of delay.
Tier 1 individuals include players, coaches and staffers who are part of the daily operation at its most basic level. Those tier 1 individuals are tested every other day.
The Cubs haven't had an individual test positive for the coronavirus at summer camp, which started July 3. They did have two staffers test positive before players reported back to Wrigley Field for work.
"The testing is what it is right now," manager David Ross said.
"If we dwell on the negative, it will just be a long season. We as a coaching staff, if we put the players in the best position to get their work in and adjust to the testing delays, the better off we are going to be."
With the six players awaiting test results, the Cubs called up several players from their taxi squad at the Class-A South Bend facility to join them in their work.
The hope for the Cubs -- and all around MLB -- is that the league fixes its testing glitches before Opening Day on July 24. If not, teams' lineups and pitching rotations could be disrupted on a near daily basis during the regular season.
"I think some players will opt out," Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said of the concerns of positive tests and the lack of timeliness in getting results back. "We are in a pandemic. We are all at risk. We all want to play baseball, because that is what we love to do. We love to bring joy to people who are at home through these tough times. We are all human. If guys start testing positive left and right and this gets out of control, you will see some guys opt out. Like (Yu) Darvish said yesterday, coming in being on the fence. You see how amazing the Cubs have been with all the protocols and getting on top of everything. Credit to all of our guys for the most part for coming in and staying safe. We want to play and stay safe."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
