Phillies Camp Erupts With Almost a Full Starting Lineup of Positive COVID-19 Tests
By Michael Luciano
The Philadelphia Phillies found out firsthand how difficult it might be to play even small parts of the 2020 MLB season in Florida due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Eight different Phillies employees -- five players and three staffers --, were found to have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus after an outbreak at the Phillies' Spring Training complex in Clearwater.
The Phillies say 32 players and staff are still awaiting test results: pic.twitter.com/dTnX9GcIDm
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) June 19, 2020
The outbreak could worsen in the coming days, as several Phillies employees are still awaiting test results.
Florida, a state that was among the first to relax lockdown restrictions, has been a hotspot for virus cases over the last few days, with record numbers of new daily infections cropping up. While the MLB is looking to restart Spring Training and could be effected by this in a big way, the NBA and MLS are both planning to restart their seasons in Orlando, while the WNBA will head to IMG Academy in Bradenton.
Not only is this an issue for MLB, but this is in Florida, where the virus is raging as the NBA, MLS and WNBA are on the way. https://t.co/Xdi8EfdM2N
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) June 19, 2020
If there is a silver lining to this story, none of the eight infected have had to be hospitalized, and they all appear to be recovering from the virus. As unlikely as it may be, let's just hope this is the last such outbreak that touches the American sports world.