COVID-19 has made its mark on the Minnesota Twins, with Derek Falvey, president of baseball operations, saying Thursday that “a few” players have tested positive for the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Falvey did not say how many players tested positive, nor did he identify those who did, although he did say they are part of the expected 60-man roster that will be trimmed before the start of the abbreviated regular season in late July.
Falvey noted that more than one player was asymptomatic, meaning they tested positive but didn’t have any symptoms commonly associated with the virus.
“I don’t think that it’s necessarily a surprise that we would have positive cases, we would expect it,” said Falvey. “As a result, we want to follow the appropriate protocols before getting everyone back together.”
Fans may get a better idea of who the players are because they are now under quarantine and won’t join the Twins for the start of training camp beginning July 1. In order to join the team, each player who tested positive will need to test negative twice.
The 60-game regular season is set to begin July 23 or 24, and players who test positive during the season – or anyone experiencing symptoms – will have to go under quarantine until they pass the league’s health protocols.
The league plans to test players every other day during the season.
