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Phillies, Blue Jays camps shut down as coronavirus outbreak infects at least five players

mike oz
·2 min read

As Major League Baseball and the players union argue about the money it will require to get on the field, the latest news out of Philadelphia Phillies camp is reminding us that there’s another very real side of baseball’s coronavirus shutdown.

According to Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports, eight positive tests have come out Phillies camp in Clearwater, Florida— five players and three staff members.

In addition to the five players, three staff members have tested positive. The identities of those infected is not known. A significant number of team personnel are awaiting test results so it’s possible the outbreak could worsen.

None of the eight people who have been infected have been hospitalized and the virus appears to be under control in all of them. Citing medical privacy laws, high-ranking team officials have declined comment on the matter.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported a Blue Jays pitcher is also showing symptoms after spending time with players in the Phillies organization. He is awaiting test results. The Blue Jays have shut down their camp, which is in nearby Dunedin, Florida.

Here’s a statement from the Phillies on the matter:

Cases are on the rise in Florida and Arizona, which could pose another problem for restarting Major League Baseball. While the money side of negotiations is what players and owners are bickering about most right now, this may be a reminder that there’s more to restarting baseball than figuring out how much players will be paid.

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