The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)

MLB says L.A.’s Turner violated COVID protocols

-

Justin Turner violated coronaviru­s protocols when he celebrated on the Globe Life field with his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates and he refused instructio­ns from security to leave the field, behavior that Major League Baseball said risked the safety of others.

The commission­er’s office said Oct. 28 that it is starting a full investigat­ion of the 35-year-old third baseman.

The Dodgers won their first World Series championsh­ip since 1988 with a 3-1 victory over Tampa Bay in Game 6 on Oct. 27.

Turner was pulled from the game following the seventh inning after MLB was notified that he had tested positive for COVID-19. He was quarantine­d in a doctor’s office off to the side,

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.

Turner later returned to the field with a mask to celebrate the Dodgers’ title. He then took down his mask and posed for a team photo on the field.

“Immediatel­y upon receiving notice from the laboratory of a positive test, protocols were triggered, leading to the removal of Justin Turner from last night’s game,” MLB said in a statement Wednesday. “Turner was placed into isolation for the safety of those around him. However, following the Dodgers’ victory, it is clear that Turner chose to disregard the agreedupon joint protocols and the instructio­ns he was given regarding the safety and protection of others. While a desire to celebrate is understand­able, Turner’s decision to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk. When MLB Security raised the matter of being on the field with Turner, he emphatical­ly refused to comply.”

Turner became a free agent when his $64 million, four-year contract expired following the victory.

Turner’s agent, Greg Genske, did not immediatel­y respond to a text from The Associated Press seeking comment.

On Oct. 28, both teams were still at the Dallas area hotel where they had spent the World Series.

“Last night, nasal swabs were conducted on the Dodgers’ traveling party,” MLB said. “Both the Rays and Dodgers were tested again today and their travel back to their home cities will be determined after being approved by the appropriat­e authoritie­s.”

The commission­er’s office said it will consult with the players’ associatio­n as part of its investigat­ion. The union was in the process of gathering facts on the events.

Turner hit .307 with four homers and 23 RBI in the pandemic-shortened season and .293 (17 for 58) with three homers and six RBI in the postseason.

“Having a mask on and staying socially distanced, he want to come out and take a picture with the trophy, which can’t state strongly enough how big of a role he’s played in the success of this organizati­on,” Friedman said. “But I think for him, just being a free agent, not knowing exactly how the future is going to play out. I don’t think there was anyone that was going to stop him from going out,” he said.

 ?? ERIC GAY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and third baseman Justin Turner pose for a group picture after the Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-1, in Game 6 to win the World Series Oct. 27 in Arlington, Texas.
ERIC GAY — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and third baseman Justin Turner pose for a group picture after the Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-1, in Game 6 to win the World Series Oct. 27 in Arlington, Texas.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States