In a world where baseball tries to play through a global pandemic and teams are battling outbreaks, it’s never wrong to be cautious. The Cubs and star third baseman Kris Bryant have experienced that firsthand.
Bryant was back in the lineup on Monday against the Royals after missing the last two games after self-reporting some of his coronavirus symptoms. After being given a clean bill of health before the game, the former NL MVP detailed his experience going through the process of being cleared from MLB’s COVID-19 protocol.
“It was exactly that – a process,” Bryant said. “Just before the game the other day, I was just looking for some relief from a symptom that I had. I didn’t even think twice about it, but considering what is going on around the league and how serious this thing is, our team doctor thought it was appropriate to just be overly cautious with it. And that’s it.
“I went and did the nasal swab and a couple saliva tests. Deep down, I didn’t really have much concern. It just kind of caught me off guard too. Just the whole process. But it’s a great thing that I went through it, because if I did have [COVID-19], that’s how it starts. One person and it seems like half the team gets it. So, I think it’s just really important to keep up with those protocols and really take it as seriously as we can.”
While Bryant’s symptoms were just a scare for the Cubs, it shines a brighter light on the importance of both player accountability, which may ultimately save the baseball’s season from being canceled. Then again, maybe not?
MLB announced in a press release on Monday that 13 Cardinals players and staffers have tested positive for coronavirus in the league’s latest outbreak. According to reports, Cardinals players didn’t follow league protocols before their positive tests, which may have led to the outbreak.
Marlins president Derek Jeter told reporters on Monday that players had become relaxed on both social distancing and wearing masks.
“Some of our traveling party had a false sense of security and comfort,” Jeter said.
MLB is expected to increase its guidelines for teams when they are traveling on the road.
“As far as more rules, more restrictions, more guidelines, there’s definitely been talk about it,” outfielder Ian Happ said, who is also the Cubs’ MLBPA player rep. “The latest that I’ve seen, the Cubs are exceeding what the current guidelines are and would be well within compliance with what future guidelines or ordinances restrictions would be.”
The Cardinals had their four-game series against the Tigers postponed on Monday and have now had seven postponements due to the recent outbreak. MLB’s tentative plan is for the Cardinals to resume play on Friday when the Cubs head to St. Louis.
Teams around baseball have looked to emulate the Cubs as they remain the only team in baseball without a positive COVID-19 test for a player and accountability among both players and staff, as well as strict health and safety guidelines have a lot to do with it.
The Cubs also named director of team travel and clubhouse operation, Vijay Tekchandani, as its COVID compliance officer to be the point person on all coronavirus related issues.
“Theo and Jed did a great job of thinking through what we would need and the entire staff. The way that the entire staff has operated. The way that they’ve been compliant and thought through everything from on-field to food, hotels, buses. You guys know Vijay is an absolute stud. So just everything from top to bottom has been super professional. And I think that’s why we’re ahead on a lot of those things.”
