Well, the league certainly has a new way of dealing with even one positive case of COVID-19 from any organization, but from what we’ve seen early on with the Marlins and Cardinals, this is probably the right way to go.
Tonight’s Mets-Marlins finale has been postponed after someone from the Mets has tested positive for COVID-19:
The New York Mets game against the Miami Marlins tonight is postponed after someone in the Mets organization tested positive for COVID-19, a source tells ESPN. @JonHeyman was first with the postponement.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 20, 2020
It’s not entirely clear yet who has tested positive – could be a player, coach, staff, etc. – but that was enough for MLB to act. We’ve seen this sort of hasty response work well since the big breakouts throughout the league, so you have to assume it’s for the best.
The frustrating part, of course, is that the Marlins, while now up to 18 games, have played significantly fewer contests than most other teams around the league and this is but another to be made up or banged entirely. We’ll update the post if and when we know more.
UPDATE: There are two positive cases, including one player and one member of the staff …
Breaking: Mets-Marlins tonight is postponed, source says.
The Mets have two positive coronavirus tests, one player and one staff member.
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) August 20, 2020
UPDATE 2: The Yankees are scheduled to play the Mets tomorrow at Citi Field, but it’s fair to say that game will probably be moved, if not the entire series …
Yankees are scheduled to play the Mets tomorrow at Citi Field … https://t.co/lOjFLgoIge
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) August 20, 2020
UPDATE 3: This probably won’t preclude a postponement AT LEAST tomorrow, but most Mets have already been cleared to travel, which is surprising:
The Mets are flying back from Miami tonight, other than the people who are positive and those who are not delayed by contact tracing, I’m told
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) August 20, 2020
It’s unclear how many Mets will remain in Miami tonight, but the current belief is its safe for many to return home.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) August 20, 2020
I’m not sure how they could know, unlike all the other situations, that there was no risk of cross-exposure from the positive cases, but I guess we’ll learn more soon enough.