COVID-19 returns strong after All-Star break ends

For the first time in months, COVID-19 is creating chaos around Major League Baseball.

The Yankees and Rockies are dealing with coronavirus outbreaks sidelining a total of 10 players and two coaches, including New York slugger Aaron Judge and Colorado manager Bud Black, as baseball attempts to resume play following its All-Star break.

The Red Sox and Yankees played as scheduled Friday night, a day after their series opener was postponed due to New York’s six-player outbreak.

Judge, third baseman Gio Urshela and catcher Kyle Higashioka were added to the COVID-19 injured list, joining pitchers Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortes Jr. and Wandy Peralta.

The virus surges come as teams try to resume play following a break for Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Denver. It’s a step backward for a league that hadn’t postponed a game over virus concerns in nearly three months.

Blue Jays

Toronto was given approval from the Canadian government for an exemption on border restrictions that will allow them to play in Canada later this month. The Blue Jays had asked the federal government to allow them to play at Rogers Centre starting July 30. “After nearly two years away, the Toronto Blue Jays are finally coming home to Canada,” the team said.

Phillies

Aaron Nola missed his final start of the season’s first half after being placed on the COVID-19 injured list for having close contact with an infected teammate. But the Phillies pitcher said the events of the last week have not motivated him or other unvaccinated teammates to get vaccinated against the virus.

Nationals

Infielder Starlin Castro was placed on administrative leave by Baseball under its domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse policy.

Elsewhere

Three men arrested with more than a dozen weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition at a Denver hotel near the site of Baseball’s All-Star Game have been charged with federal firearms crimes, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.