:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67120749/1227778047.jpg.0.jpg)
Reports indicate the second game of the Phillies’ series against the New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park has also been postponed due to the Miami Marlins COVID-19 outbreak in Philadelphia this weekend.
Heard the #Yankees are leavvng Philadelphia early this afternoon to head back to NY. They are going to practice at Yankee Stadium tonight
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 28, 2020
Sherman’s report has since been backed up by numerous others. The news comes in the wake of a report by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal that the situation with the Marlins has gotten even worse.
Marlins have had four additional players test positive, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2020
That would bring the total number of Marlins players to test positive for COVID-19 to 15, 50% of the team’s 30-man roster.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s main concern appears to be whether Miami’s outbreak has spread to the Phillies. Players reported to Citizens Bank Park yesterday for drive-thru testing after the cancellation of Monday’s game and, so far, the early word on test results is positive.
Heard the early results are that no #Phillies players have so far tested positive.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 28, 2020
Obviously, the Phillies will provide a definitive report once all the results are in.
With tonight's game postponed, Phillies are planning to bus to New York tomorrow for tomorrow night's game at Yankee Stadium.
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) July 28, 2020
Multiple questions arise here. COVID tests don’t always turn up positive until a few days after exposure. Should the Phillies be quarantined until the end of the week? Should they continue to be tested every day for the next four days? Should the entire rest of the week’s slate be cancelled for the Phils and Marlins? And if so, how do they make up all these games?
Can can confirm there were no new positive tests among Phillies players yesterday, as @Joelsherman1 said
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyNBCS) July 28, 2020
It also appears as if the team will undergo another round of testing.
#Phillies personnel will be tested again today at Citizens Bank Park before returning home, just like yesterday.
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) July 28, 2020
And now, it’s possible the Phillies won’t play until this weekend.
Phillies under this plan would return to play Friday against the Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park - as the visiting team (under a previous plan due to Jays’ inability to play in Canada). Team would be isolated until then, not technically quarantined. https://t.co/Np6OcS3o6h
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 28, 2020
Confirming various reports of this ever-changing schedule... Marlins now off until Monday, Phillies off until Friday, Yankees will play at Orioles Wednesday and Thursday.
— Tyler Kepner (@TylerKepner) July 28, 2020
This story will be updated as needed.