Some MLB players reluctant to get vaccine.
After an underwhelming start, Houston Astros starter Lance McCullers Jr. revealed he had been physically ill during three-plus laborious innings against the Detroit Tigers earlier this month.
His manager, Dusty Baker, explained that McCullers’ start had been shaky in more ways than one. The 27-year-old, an athlete in peak physical condition, found himself with “wobbly” legs and was unable to catch his breath. McCullers received a coronavirus vaccine shot earlier in the week, he and his manager said. The side effects were troublesome enough that he required IVs just to make his start at all.
Some in Major League Baseball, like in so many other industries, have pointed to the arrival of vaccines as the beginning of a return to normal. But MLB is learning that widespread vaccination is not as linear a process as it may seem — or as unpolarizing a suggestion as some might hope.
For the past few weeks, teams and their players have been confronted with a choice of whether to be vaccinated or not, incentivized by the promise of loosened restrictions if 85 percent of a team’s players and staff get the shot. Major League Baseball will not say exactly how many teams have reached the threshold as of this week, though the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox have both said they are among those that have.
Scott Servais, manager of the Seattle Mariners, said earlier this week he heard 10 of 30 teams had reached the threshold; MLB would not confirm that number and does not identify which teams have hit the mark. The league did say it was “encouraged” by the number, noting that logistical issues make reaching large numbers of players difficult. But managers and executives acknowledged player reluctance is partly to blame.
“There has been some hesitation on the part of some players,” New York Mets President Sandy Alderson said last week, adding that the team held a mandatory educational session with a physician in the hope of dispelling concerns about the vaccine.
“I think that’s in the best interest of the team. It’s in the best interest of their families. It’s in the best interest of those who work with the players. So I hope that in addition to their own personal medical considerations, that they take all of those things into consideration, as well.”
Notable
Catcher Martin Maldonado and the Astros have agreed to a $5.5 million, oneyear contract for 2022.
• Phillies 2B Jean Segura was placed on the 10-day injured list after he left Tuesday’s game with a right quad strain trying to beat a throw. The Phillies also recalled INF/OF Mike Kingery and RHP Spencer Howard from Lehigh Valley.
• Former All-Star Dee Strange-Gordon signed a minor league contract with the Brewers and was assigned to the alternate training site in Appleton, Wis.
• Twins INF Miguel Sano has a strained hamstring and will be evaluated before Friday’s home game against the Pirates.
• Angels 3B Anthony Rendon (groin) took grounders before the game. There’s a chance he could return this weekend in Houston, manager said.