Red Sox minor league tests positive for COVID-19

*Photo from The Athletic*

   A Boston Red Sox player has tested positive for the Coronavirus(COVID-19), according to NESN's Guerin Austin. The player is in their minor league system, and it is unknown if the player was around any major leaguers during spring training. The Red Sox will shut down their spring training facilities in Fort Myers, FL, for at least two weeks for deep cleaning and disinfecting as a result. The player received the test in his hometown on Monday and was last seen in Fort Myers on March 15. 

   Red Sox spokesman Kevin Gregg said in a statement that "Given the timing of the player’s positive test and travel, we believe it is more likely that he contracted COVID-19 after he left Fort Myers. Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, the club is shutting down Fenway South from all activity effective today, for at least two weeks. In the meantime, Fenway South/JetBlue Park will undergo a “deep cleaning” to fully disinfect the facility. Following the advice of healthcare professionals, the club has instructed all players and staff who came into close contact with the affected player to self-quarantine for a period of two weeks."

   "During this pandemic, the health and safety of our players and employees and those in our community is prioritized over all else. The club will continue to follow recommendations set forth by health officials, Major League Baseball, and our own medical team. We want to note that the player who tested positive is doing well, and the club is following MLB suggested protocols, CDC guidelines, and local public health recommendations for care. Finally, out of respect for his privacy, we will not comment further regarding the player’s situation."

   Due to the worldwide COVID-19 Pandemic, MLB cancelled the rest of the spring training schedule on March 12, and opening day has been pushed back by at least 8 weeks following a recommendation by the CDC. As for COVID-19 in Baseball as a whole, two New York Yankees minor leaguers and a Cincinnati Reds employee have tested positive in addition to the Red Sox player.