While it might feel like America has moved on from the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 has not moved on from us. On Wednesday, the series finale between the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox was postponed following an outbreak in Cleveland’s clubhouse.
Today's Sox-Guardians game has been postponed due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the Guardians organization. No rescheduling info at the moment.
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) May 11, 2022
Among those who have tested positive for COVID are Guardians manager Terry Francona. Major League Baseball said the postponement was to allow for more testing and contact tracing.
It was the first coronavirus-related postponement in MLB this season following a year in which it became commonplace.
Francona tested positive a few hours before the scheduled first pitch at 1:10 p.m. The team said the 63-year-old manager, who has dealt with health issues in the recent past, was not showing any symptoms.
Guardians bench coach DeMarlo Hale was ready to step in and manage the game but then he also tested positive along with “multiple coaches and other team support staff members,” according to a Guardians spokesman.
The Guardians don’t have a game on Thursday but they are scheduled to start a three-game series in Minnesota on Friday. It’s unclear at this point who will manage the team and it’s likely that the franchise will need to call up some minor league coaches and field coordinators.
In the meantime, the reminder that COVID-19 is still a factor and can have a major impact on sporting events garnered some reactions from around the MLB world.
— Herb Lawrence (@Ecnerwal23) May 11, 2022
I want off this ride. https://t.co/g9xjIrYApe
— Drew Silva (@drewsilv) May 11, 2022
No White Sox game today… https://t.co/p0yhjhaxXM
— Lisa Chavarria NBC5 (@LisaChavarria) May 11, 2022
https://twitter.com/Kenny13aseball/status/1524439295234396163
Oh boy…. https://t.co/Og2jwUEUsc
— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) May 11, 2022
[AP]
