Three Colorado Rockies players have tested positive for coronavirus, Kyle Newman of the Denver Post reported. Charlie Blackmon, Ryan Castellani and Phillip Diehl tested positive late last week, according to Newman’s sources. Only one of the three players was showing symptoms, though his identity is not known. Coors Field has recently opened for workouts but has now been shut down for the remainder of the week. All other players who had been working out at Coors were subsequently tested, with tests coming back negative.
This news comes immediately after Major League Baseball issued a press release indicating that the regular season would begin on either July 23 or 24.
Opening Day is scheduled for July 23 or 24. Bring on baseball. pic.twitter.com/fE3aVpB7j4
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) June 24, 2020
On the couple’s Instagram account, Blackmon’s wife, Ashley, expressed frustration over her husband’s confidential medical information being leaked.
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For his part, Diehl appeared to be well enough to post about his excitement for the start of the season on his Instagram.
On June 19, NBC Sports Philadelphia reported five players and three staff members for the Philadelphia Phillies tested positive for COVID-19 at their camp in Clearwater, Florida.
Several states across the country, including Florida and Arizona (the homes of team spring training complexes), have seen an upward trend in COVID-19 cases over the past 14 days. These states are also seeing an uptick in the percentage of tests coming back positive.
Emily Leclair will have additional information on baseball’s return and how coronavirus may impact the sport in tomorrow’s Rockpile.