How Giants are adjusting protocols after Marlins' coronavirus outbreak

Share

An off day during the season is supposed to be relaxing, especially when you're coming off an intense four-game series at Dodger Stadium. But as the Giants enjoyed some time at home Monday, they watched MLB wrestle with the realities of playing through a pandemic. 

The Marlins had an outbreak of positive COVID-19 tests on their roster -- 17 people have tested positive thus far -- and have had all of their games through Sunday postponed. Because they had been playing at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, a home-and-home between the Yankees and Phillies was also postponed, and the Orioles had their schedule impacted, as well.

For a few minutes there on Monday morning, it seemed like the sport was in real danger of being put back on hold, but commissioner Rob Manfred said later in the day that cancelation wasn't discussed. Still, it was a moment that reinforced the Giants' commitment to what they've been doing, and had them asking what more they can do to keep players safe. 

"I think we've done a really nice job of following health and safety protocols, but there's no question that this adds kind of an additional layer of sensitivity and gives us an opportunity to keep talking about it," manager Gabe Kapler said before Tuesday's home opener. 

[BALK TALK: Listen to the latest episode]

Kapler said he has talked to some players individually about concerns and thought he might have an opportunity to address the whole group before the game against the San Diego Padres. In particular, the Giants will continue to discuss the proper way to celebrate and interact during games. While masks were everywhere in the dugout at Dodger Stadium, there were a fair number of fist-bumps and pats on the back and head as players got close following more exciting moments. 

"We know that every once in a while emotion is going to take over and you're going to see people bump knuckles, and when that happens we ask that our players immediately move to a hand sanitizing station and take that precaution," Kapler said. "We haven't been perfect by any stretch, but we're going to continue to work to get better and this -- what happened in Miami -- gives us a good opportunity to continue to talk about it and continue to tighten up our protocols."

The Giants have not had a positive test result since the first weekend of camp at the beginning of the month, in large part because of the work they have done at Oracle Park. But road trips are tricky, as the Marlins found out, and Kapler said the Giants would continue to look for ways to distance players at hotels. 

The team's hotel in Pasadena has a fair amount of outdoor space and the Giants set up a courtyard where players and coaches could meet and talk about the games while staying far apart and in open air. There was a room set up where players could pick up meals and then take them outside to eat. 

[RELATED: Giants add catcher to roster]

Kapler said the staff will look to do the same on the next trip, and overall he seemed pleased with the commitment to safety on the first one of the year. While it's been a rough 48 hours for baseball, he didn't sense any increased trepidation from his players, who had their normal pre-series meetings Tuesday to prepare for the Padres.

"I know that the players in our clubhouse have sensitivities and concerns that match those around baseball and in our country right now," he said. "That said, I think they're pretty focused on and excited about opening day."

Contact Us