Yankees say minor leaguer tested positive for COVID-19
guys they had sticking around the facility.
Non-roster players are to return to their offseason residences, as long as it’s feasible. If it’s not — maybe for an international guy or someone headed somewhere where COVID-19 is especially bad — the club should “work with the player to provide suitable accommodations.” If that player requires treatment for an injury, he may stay.
Players on 40-man rosters must be permitted to remain at spring training sites and are eligible to receive their spring training allowances, the memo said. Those workouts, again, will be on an individual basis only.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred will hold a conference call at noon Monday to update clubs.
A New York Yankees minor leaguer has tested positive for COVID-19, becoming the first known player affiliated with Major League Baseball to contract the virus.
The team said that the unidentified player had spent his entire time at the minor league complex and hadn’t been at the main stadium and facilities used by the major leaguers.
“On Friday morning, the minor leaguer presented with symptoms for the very first time,” said Yankees GM Brian Cashman during a conference call Sunday. “Friday morning, he woke up and presented with symptoms of fever and fatigue, and he called it in. He did not report to the facility.”
On Sunday morning, Yankees player development director Kevin Reese texted minor league players informing them of the positive test. The text said the player is recovering well and that the organization is in contact with department of health officials to figure out the next steps.
Phillies
Philadelphia signed 18year-old Yhoswar Garcia, a well-regarded center fielder from Venezuela and awarded him a $2.5 million bonus. Garcia was one of the top prospects in last summer’s class, but was unable to sign because of an issue with his birth date.