DREAM OVER
Iowa game canceled; Cards’ series vs. Tigers postponed
If they build it, maybe they still won't come.
MLB's highly anticipated “Field of Dreams” game, which was scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 13, has been canceled, according to The Athletic.
The news comes amid multiple reports more Cardinals players and staff have tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday. The “Field of Dreams” game, which was to be held in Dyersville, Iowa, was not canceled as a result of rising positive COVID-19 tests within the Cardinals organization, but for “logistical problems,” according to the report.
The league had still been deciding whether the game could be played with fans as of a July 6 update of the event posted on MLB.com. Construction on the 8,000-seat ballpark, adjacent to the original field used in the movie, had continued even during MLB's four-month shutdown.
The game was initially to be played between the Yankees and the White Sox. The 60game coronavirus-shortened season changed many matchups in baseball to try to limit travel. The Yankees' schedule was changed to reflect more “local” play, so the Cardinals were swapped in to play the White Sox instead. The Cardinals have been dealing with their own coronavirus outbreak since Friday. St. Louis postponed its matchup against the Brewers after two players tested positive for the virus, MLB announced then. The team announced on Sunday it was still awaiting results of a number of tests, but ESPN reported the team was bracing for more test positives in the coming days.
By Monday, six players and three staff members had been diagnosed with the virus, per multiple reports. The players are said to be asymptomatic and the team was in the process of securing cars for the players with COVID-19 to drive six hours back to St. Louis from Milwaukee, where they were isolating and awaiting the results of four inconclusive test results.
The Cardinals upcoming series against the Tigers has also been postponed.
FRANCONA AILING
Indians manager Terry Francona will miss at least the club's next two games because of a gastrointestinal issue that has bothered him for months.
Francona was scheduled to be checked Monday by doctors at the Cleveland Clinic. He'll remain in Cleveland during the Indians' two-game series in Cincinnati. Team President Chris Antonetti said the team will “take it one step at a time” and that it's too early to know when the 61-year-old manager will return.
The Indians return home Wednesday for two more games with the Reds before a three-game trip to Chicago to face the White Sox.
MARLINS RETURN
The Miami Marlins are set to resume play today in Baltimore following an outbreak in their traveling party that sidelined half the players. Miami has not played since July 26.