Miami Marlins Covid-19 Outbreak Rocks Baseball

With major league sports starting up again, Major League Baseball is at the forefront, but it re-started prior to the re-openings of the NBA, NHL or NFL seasons.

Unfortunately, the Miami Marlins are at the forefront as well, the site of the sport’s first Coronavirus cluster.

The Marlins’ home opener against the Baltimore Orioles has been canceled, after reports that as many as a dozen members of the organization have tested positive. The team is remaining in Philadelphia today.

The Marlins did play, and win, against the Phillies on Sunday, to go to 2-1 on the season. They did so even after a group of players tested positive and was removed from the lineup — and Jose Urena was scratched from his scheduled start. Marlins manager Don Mattingly said that the team “never really considered not playing.” Shortstop Miguel Rojas told the media on Sunday that the team did have a meeting to discuss whether to continue to play. Rojas said not playing was “never our mentality.”

Now, the fallout begins as the Marlins have provided Major League Baseball with a tricky situation.

Could the Marlins be stopped from continuing their season?

Could they be forced to call up more players from Jupiter, home of their temporary minor league camp?

And what now, after the Yankees’ Monday game with the Phillies was suspended as well?

What might not get much attention, regarding baseball, in Miami will get plenty in the Northeast, especially New York.

As one can imagine, there were several reactions and analysis from media members following these reports.

Baseball can barely run baseball, so between us, I don't predict it will shine in the area of epidemic response

— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) July 27, 2020

So the Marlins had multiple players test positive over the course of multiple days and MLB granted them the freedom to just say "f it" and play the games anyway??? Sweet plan. https://t.co/Htsj2iuwus pic.twitter.com/Q3g6VvcMYc

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) July 27, 2020

At the moment, today’s @MLB games remain on schedule to be played, with the exception of @Marlins–@Orioles. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 27, 2020

There are more cases of COVID on the Marlins than in the entire country of New Zealand.

Uhm?

— Jordan (@jordancicchelli) July 27, 2020

What’s happening with the Marlins is the NFL’s future times five.

— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) July 27, 2020

Both infectious-disease experts were adamant yesterday that the #Marlins should not have been allowed to play.

And that was after 4 players testing positive. https://t.co/bEbWcQ4Cgu

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 27, 2020

Under agreement MLB Comissioner Manfred has power to suspend/cancel season if a team or teams suffer an outbreak and competitive integrity is compromised

— Karl Ravech (@karlravechespn) July 27, 2020

It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds. With the NHL and NBA set to begin this week, this situation provides an interesting backdrop for major league sports.

And what is the NFL thinking, as it plans to resume its full-contact sport, with more players, and no bubble?