A member of the Pirates' scouting team in Venezuela has contracted COVID-19.
According to a GoFundMe fundraiser on their behalf, Jessie Nava has been hospitalized with the virus. The organizer of the fundraiser is not known, with the username being "MLB Scout."
A source tells DK Pittsburgh Sports the Pirates gave "sizable support" to his family as soon as they found out and have coordinated with Major League Baseball on behalf of his family to take advantage of the support programs available through the league.
Nava, 33, has been with the Pirates as a part-time scout in Venezuela since before the 2019 season.
This is the first known positive test for someone within the Pirates' organization during the pandemic. The club has been extremely cautious throughout, twice deep cleaning their spring training facilities in Bradenton, Fla. before the league's shutdown on Mar. 12 and continuing to clean since. They are also following all entry protocols and social distancing guidelines.
MLB will not identify anyone who has tested positive or is suspected of having COVID-19 due to The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
There have been a series of positive COVID-19 tests in MLB camps over the past few weeks, including the Phillies, Blue Jays, Rockies and Twins.
In accordance to the health and safety protocols MLB has established for the 2020 season, every player coming into the Pirates' facility is tested upon arrival and then sent to self-quarantine for at least 48 hours until the results come back. Nobody is allowed into the facility unless they have first past the COVID-19 test. They will then be tested every other day after that.
Players have already started to report to PNC Park for summer camp, with some taking part in light baseball activities Wednesday. The first team workout will be Friday. Those workouts will be in small groups in order for players to distance themselves.
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