Two Major League Baseball games were postponed yesterday as the Miami Marlins organization had at least 12 positive COVID-19 tests. Miami’s Monday home opener against the Baltimore Orioles was postponed and the New York Yankees will have to wait to take on the Philadelphia Phillies, who hosted the Marlins Sunday. That left broadcasters to scramble to fill those gaps.
MLB team owners held a conference call Monday and did not discuss canceling the season. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said it was not a “nightmare” scenario and that the league “believe[s] the protocols are adequate to keep our players safe.”
Manfred also said that a bubble tournament “was not workable” for the league. However, that approach has been successful thus far in containing the virus. The NFL and NCAA, which also are considering playing games in home markets, haven’t yet publicly discussed a bubble plan.
Bubble Success:
— The NHL’s phase 3 ended Saturday with no positive COVID-19 tests among the 4,256 tests from July 18-25. The players entered phase 4 bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton Sunday, where daily testing will resume.
— The NBA and MLS both reported no positive cases in their latest bubble test report. Both leagues had some issues as teams and players made their way to the bubbles in Orlando, but they have proved to be secure once entered.
— The NWSL successfully navigated its Challenge Cup in Utah, with zero positive tests during the duration of its tournament after the Orlando Pride withdrew when six players tested positive.
