The Los Angeles Dodgers organized for their first official workout of Spring Training 2.0 on Friday, but like what other teams across the league are facing, not all players were available.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts initially said the team “staggered” arrivals and group workouts to comply with health and safety protocols, and that he expected to “see everyone at some point in time.”
However, when directly asked about the availability of everyone in the Dodgers’ player pool, Roberts revealed the entire group would not be on hand. “We’re having constant conversations with the players, training staff, medical staff,” he said.
“There are guys that aren’t able to start camp with us for various reasons. Every day that goes on, we’ll know more. I don’t know the number of people, but there’s a group of guys that won’t be able to start with us for some reason or another. I can’t be specific on names right now.”
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously revealed the organization had members test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). “None that have resulted in symptoms that have been problematic, but obviously this is front of mind for all of us,” he said.
“By trying to handle this in the way we think best as we’re figuring this out and learning as we go, it’s very much a personal thing. If any want to share, then obviously it’s up to them. But from my standpoint, Doc’s standpoint, we’re not comfortable doing that.”
MLB did implement an injured list this season for players who either exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to someone who is infected, or have tested positive themselves. But the league also forbids teams from revealing names of players who tested positive, which invariably will fuel plenty of speculation when a roster move is made.
MLB, MLBPA announce first COVID-19 testing results
MLB and the Players Association announced 38 positive tests, which is 1.2% of the 3,185 total samples that were collected as part of the mandatory Intake Screening process under the league’s COVID-19 Health Monitoring & Testing Plan.
Testing was conducted prior to the workouts and full baseball activities that began Friday. Within the results, 19 different teams had one or more individual test positive, and it was further broken down to finding 31 players and seven staff members to be infected.
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