As players and personnel have been arriving to Spring Training this week, that has meant something big that it didn’t mean last year at this time: a whole lot of intake testing for COVID-19.
Today, MLB released results from the first set of screenings, and with just 13 total positives, the numbers are dramatically lower than at intake for summer camp last June:
Prior to the upcoming start of full-squad workouts, @MLB and the @MLB_PLAYERS jointly announced today
the first set of COVID-19 testing results conducted as part of the mandatory Intake Screening process under
MLB’s COVID-19 Health Monitoring & Testing Plan. pic.twitter.com/nhBzoXTdtz— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) February 19, 2021
The positivity rate on tests at intake in June was SIX times larger. That makes sense primarily as behaviors among players and personnel have probably changed, because the case rates nationally are actually not all that dissimilar between right now and last June, when the pandemic waned a bit over the summer. So, the fact that the intake results are down so much more is probably a good sign?
It’s not clear yet if the Cubs had any positives during intake (or if they’ll be reported), though Kyle Ryan was placed on the COVID injury list.
Speaking of intakes, there’ll be a whole lot more this weekend as position players officially report. I tentatively anticipate that’s when we’ll see the Jake Marisnick signing become official, by the way. Could be that the Cubs were just waiting to do his physical once he arrives.
New Cubs starter Trevor Williams is likely gonna try to get back to his pitch mix from a couple years ago – he’s mentioned multiple times wanting to become more two-seam-oriented:
Back to this…
Trevor Williams threw his fastball less in 2019 and 2020 than he ever had (*far* less in 2020), threw his slider much more than he had since his rookie year (most ever in 2020), and threw his curveball far more than ever in 2020. https://t.co/0hZRTgipmO pic.twitter.com/9S2Zp1B6t6
— Matt Clapp (@TheBlogfines) February 19, 2021
Hey, he’s already getting a bump:
Heh, last three years:
Against Cubs: 6.05 ERA/6.47 FIP
Against everyone else: 4.23 ERA/4.47 FIP https://t.co/FzCjzAVqck
— Brad (@ballskwok) February 19, 2021
Williams also said he's looking forward to his "first date" with catcher Willson Contreras and values Contreras' opinion from facing Williams in the division the last few years.
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 19, 2021
The visual component, including Adbert Alzolay continuing to get pointers from Jake Arrieta:
Charged 🆙 pic.twitter.com/ByGhVDXt4d
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 19, 2021
Jake Arrieta: assistant pitching coach?
Here he is talking with Tommy Hottovy as they watched Adbert Alzolay's bullpen today. Arrieta stuck around after he threw to watch Alzolay and provide a few pointers. pic.twitter.com/SjYgfJrkvt
— Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) February 19, 2021
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Wanna have a catch? 🏈 pic.twitter.com/aEABeMrFXt
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) February 19, 2021
The Cubs shared a fun new video today on bat flips – nothing but bat flips: