MLB’s Miami Marlins Cancel Game After COVID-19 Outbreak
Not even one week into Major League Baseball’s 60-game coronavirus shortened season, and things could already be in jeopardy. The Miami Marlins have canceled their home opening game against the Baltimore Orioles, for Monday night, as at least eight more players and two coaches have tested positive for COVID-19, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Additionally, the Marlins’ opponent for their first three games – the Philadelphia Phillies – have postponed their Monday night game against the New York Yankees.
The Marlins' home opener against the Baltimore Orioles tonight has been canceled, sources tell ESPN, as the team remains in Philadelphia and continues to undergo testing.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2020
The Marlins have already had at least 14 cases of COVID-19 in the clubhouse, including Sunday’s scheduled starting pitcher, Jose Urena, who had to be pulled before his start.
ESPN said the team is staying in Philadelphia, where they have been playing, and that they played an exhibition game against Atlanta last Wednesday.
The Phillies announced they won’t be holding their Monday night game against the Yankees as a precaution, after playing the Marlins the last three days.
Tonight’s Yankees-Phillies game is cancelled, source tells The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 27, 2020
The Marlins’ positive COVID-19 tests begin to call into question how likely it could be that MLB completes its already truncated season. The season started Thursday night with empty stadiums and strict protocols in place for testing and exposure.
The Marlins have had a solid start to the season, winning two of the first three games.
