Reds player tests positive for COVID-19, postponing weekend’s games
A Cincinnati Reds player tested positive for COVID-19 and therefore MLB had to postpone Saturday’s game and Sunday’s is in jeopardy too.
There has been another coronavirus outbreak in MLB and for the second time this season, it’s affected the Cincinnati Reds. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal who was first to report, a player on the Reds has tested positive for the coronavirus.
As a result of the positive test, Saturday’s game vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates has been postponed, according to multiple reports, including ESPN’s Jeff Passan who also says Sunday’s game is likely to be postponed. With the entire weekend likely wiped out because of the Reds player testing positive, it presents a schedule crunch for both teams. Due to this, Passan tweets there is a likelihood that the two teams could play a doubleheader on Monday because both teams have a scheduled off day.
The Reds and Pirates may play a doubleheader on Monday to make up games lost due to the positive COVID-19 test from the Cincinnati player
The doubleheader would be two games of seven innings. Although, Passan notes it’s not a certainty that these games will immediately be made up because the two teams have two series later this year that can be used to make up the games.
Sunday’s game between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates is exceedingly likely to be postponed, sources tell ESPN. The teams could potentially play a doubleheader on Monday, when both have an off-day. They have two more series in which they can make up lost games, too.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 15, 2020
At the time of publishing, the Reds player who tested positive has not been revealed.
Earlier this season, Mike Moustakas self-reported COVID-19 symptoms after teammate Matt Davidson tested positive. Davidson, however, later tested negative and Joey Votto also self-reported symptoms but returned to play after two negative tests.
Today would have marked the first time all 30 MLB teams were in action for the first time since July 26. However, MLB will have to wait at least a couple more days before trying that again.