Brewers confirm “a small number” of positive COVID-19 tests

During a Zoom conference with the media, David Stearns and Rick Schlesinger laid out what to expect for the coming season. Interestingly Stearns said that members of the Brewers’ organization had tested positive for COVID-19. He did not indicate whether it was players, staff, or both that tested positive.

Stearns went on to talk about precautions the organization is taking and protocols and education players and staff will take to remain healthy. Some of the precautions will include intake testing for COVID-19 upon player arrival to Miller Park as well as exams prior to taking the field for their first full-squad workouts on July 4. MLB has also instituted behavioral rules such as no spitting and no high-5s.

With the number of players already testing positive for the coronavirus, MLB and the Brewers are likely to have players going on the injured list to quarantine, or potentially worse, a lot. MLB has set up guidelines when a player or member of the staff tests positive or shows symptoms.

Covered Individuals who exhibit symptoms will be isolated and given an expedited COVID-19 test. The team is also responsible for contact tracing, so any other Covered Individuals or team personnel who came into close contact with the symptomatic individual will be tested as well. Also, any team facilities that were occupied by the symptomatic person must be disinfected.

Manager Craig Counsell seems to be anticipating a not “if,” but “when” scenario.

With COVID-19 already in the Brewers’ clubhouse, it is indeed reason for alarm. Right now most, if not all, cases are asymptomatic. The hope is that no Brewers’ (or any team’s) players or staff are hospitalized for this horrible disease. As the coronavirus continues its spread and infect its players and staff, it will be interesting to see how MLB reacts to it.