A's GM Forst reacts to organization's positive COVID test

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After dropping both games of their Saturday doubleheader against the Houston Astros on the road, the A's received even worse news later that night. Around 10 p.m., the team was alerted a member of their traveling party had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Sunday's A's vs. Astros game was postponed as a result. 

The A's began contact tracing late Saturday night and into Sunday morning. Astros beat reporter Brian McTaggart reported Sunday that Houston shut down its alternate site in Corpus Christi due to a positive test as well. A's general manager David Forst did not specify Sunday if a player or staff member was who tested positive for Oakland. He also wouldn't get into detail on if contact tracing showed someone in the organization broke MLB protocols. 

For now, the A's will remain in Houston and self-isolate in their hotel. 

"We are remaining in Houston overnight, hopeful to get the test results back by tomorrow morning," Forst told Bay Area reporters in a conference call Sunday morning. "At that point, we'll huddle with MLB and their medical folks to figure out the next step." 

The A's member who tested positive to initially was tested Friday. Sunday morning's tests were sent to Salt Lake City, Utah, with hopes the A's would receive the results Monday morning. The A's have a scheduled day off Monday. 

Oakland was scheduled to start a three-game road series against the Seattle Mariners beginning Tuesday. It's unclear right now if that series will start on time.

"It's too soon to know that," Forst said. "Anything beyond today, we're not going to speculate on. Ultimately, we need to see if this is an isolated infection or a larger issue. The only way to do that is to be patient, make sure everyone isolates at the hotel, which they're doing today, and we'll wait until tomorrow to figure out tomorrow." 

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Forst, who currently is at home in the Bay Area, spoke with manager Bob Melvin and the team's athletic trainers Sunday morning. He wouldn't speculate on the mindset of the team, but trusts leaders like Melvin to pave a positive path going forward. 

"We've got a resilient group, guys who've taken this seriously all along and understand the sacrifices they're making to play and they've performed well," Forst said. "I have confidence that we'll get through this and get back to playing baseball when it's appropriate." 

There is no make-up date for the A's vs. Astros postponement at this time. The A's entered Sunday with a 22-12 record, good for first place in the AL West. They currently are 2.5 games ahead of the second-place Astros.

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