BRONX, NY – New York Yankees’ anticipated second baseman D.J. LeMahieu and pitcher Luis Cessa have both tested positive for COVID-19 and skipped the team’s first summer camp workouts. Both players authorized the league to notify fans of their test results. LeMahieu thus far has been asymptomatic and Cessa has had mild flu-like symptoms. Manager Aaron Boone says he expects both players to return to the team soon.
Two other Yankees also did not participate in the workouts. Catcher Gary Sanchez and pitcher Aroldis Chapman were still awaiting the results of their COVID-19 tests.
Across the league, 31 players tested positive for COVID-19, which represents 1.2% of all players. Seven MLB staff members tested positive.
Major League Baseball will play a shortened 60 game season beginning July 23rd. Players, under the settlement between the union and owners, cannot be disclosed as being COVID-19 positive without the player’s consent. The league has created a new “COVID-19 Injured List” (COVID-19 IL) in which infected players or players who had interactions with infected individuals would be placed during the season for a period of 10 days.
In Philadelphia, the Phillies put infielder Scott Kingery and pitchers Ranger Suarez and Tommy Hunter on the 10-day IL.
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