The Cardinals had another player test positive COVID-19 Friday, leading to another series postponement so the league can conduct additional tests and to complete the contact tracing process.
If more Cardinals players test positive, it could once again jeopardize their upcoming schedule. They were set to start a three game series with the Cubs before hosting the Pirates for three games from Aug. 10-12.
The Cardinals have not been able to play since July 29 because of an outbreak of the virus within its clubhouse. In total, seven Cardinals players tested positive in the first wave, with Yadier Molina and shortstop Paul DeJong consenting to share their results.
Before Friday, they had gone three consecutive days without producing a positive test, allowing them to leave Milwaukee -- where they were scheduled to play before the outbreak was known -- and return to St. Louis.
The identity of the player who tested positive Friday is not known.
So far, the Cardinals have had nine games postponed, four against the Tigers, three against the Brewers and these three against the Cubs. They were not in contact with either team during that time.
Major League Baseball is trying to make sure each team plays its full 60-game schedule, and announced a series of double-headers Thursday for clubs that have had the schedule affected because of the cancellations.
So far, the Pirates have been able to play their schedule as originally planned. They are set to welcome the Tigers to PNC Park Friday for a three game series. The Tigers have not been able to play since Sunday because their games with the Cardinals were postponed.
"We have to be aware," Derek Shelton said about the Pirates upcoming series with the Cardinals. "We’ve talked about protocols. Obviously COVID is a big part of this year and something we’ve had to deal with. I think we’ll get clarification on where we’re going with Major League Baseball... As they [the Cardinals and Cubs] go forward, we’ll figure out what it is.
"It’s one of those things like we talked about at the beginning. It’s a game of adjustments, and once we get more information, we’ll go with it. But once again, our group has been very proactive. They’ve been very good with the protocols, and I expect us to continue on with that."
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