The Cubs were due to have their normal camp workout today at Wrigley Field before intrasquad game number three, but now it’s not sure that’ll happen.
The testing delays that have backlogged things this past weekend – the ones MLB says won’t happen again – have led to manager David Ross to make a decision:
Ross: Workout pushed back to later today/tonight due to delay of test results getting back to the Cubs.
"I want the players to feel good about coming in."
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 7, 2020
Cubs pushed today's workout back to later today while waiting for testing results. They expect results to be in this afternoon.
— Tim Stebbins (@tim_stebbins) July 7, 2020
We’ll see if the Cubs do get their results back and feel comfortable continuing.
But here’s the thing. Even if they do get the results back today – for whichever players it is – how much of a delay are we talking about? Are these tests from late last week? If so, what exposures might have occurred over the holiday weekend? How useful are these results? And after this, are things truly going to be back on the protocol’s schedule? Tests every other day, and results within 24 hours? Because this is freaking ridiculous.
No surprise, but this is also why we haven’t heard anything from South Bend yet:
Ross: Delays on testing have also delayed the start of the Cubs' alternate training site in South Bend.
— Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) July 7, 2020
The word is that it’ll be good from here on out, but I’ll believe it when I see it:
Cubs taxi squad in South Bend is getting tested today then reg roster will as well. Should be every other day from here on out.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) July 7, 2020
UPDATE: At least today’s delayed tests are only from Sunday:
Cubs have pushed back today’s work couple hours as they await results from Sunday’s tests.
Also: Team scheduled for another round of tests today.— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) July 7, 2020