Turner test put Dodgers, Rays in self-quarantine

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays are under self-quarantine at their respective homes after Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was notified Tuesday he had tested positive for COVID-19, according to two people with direct knowledge of the situation.

The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

The Dodgers, who are under a 14-day quarantine, flew back to Los Angeles on Wednesday from Arlington, Texas, where the World Series was played.

Turner and his wife were scheduled to fly back on a private charter, according to one of the people.

Turner was pulled from Game 6 on Tuesday night before the eighth inning once his positive test was confirmed. After the Dodgers clinched the team’s first World Series championship in 32 years, Turner returned and joined the team’s on-field celebration and posed for the team photo without wearing a protective face covering.

“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,” Major League Baseball said Wednesday in a statement. “When MLB security raised the matter of being on the field with Turner, he emphatically refused to comply.”

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said Thursday that it was working with the Dodgers on additional measures.

“While we cannot provide details on an active investigation, Public Health is working closely with the Dodgers to ensure that appropriate actions are taken to prevent additional exposures and provided direction on the required quarantine of players and staff that are close contacts,” the agency said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports.

A day earlier, the agency had issued a statement that in part referred to Turner: “… We join everyone in wishing the Dodger player who tested positive for

COVID-19 a fast and complete recovery. As with all other cases of COVID-19, isolation and quarantine are essential for reducing further spread.

“Public Health protocols state that a person who tests positive for COVID-19, even if they do not display symptoms, must isolate for 10 days and must be symptom and fever free for 24 hours before they can resume contact with any other people.

“Additionally, anyone who has been a close contact of a person who has tested positive for the virus for 15 minutes or more over a 24 hour period must quarantine for 14 days.”

Florida officials did not immediately return a message seeking comment about the Rays’ situation.