Two members of the Phillies' staff have tested positive for COVID-19, the team said Thursday afternoon. One is a coach, the other is a member of the home clubhouse staff. It's a concerning development even as the Phillies have staggered workouts this week, and they took quick action by canceling all activity at Citizens Bank Park until further notice.
The results of Wednesday's tests again showed no positives for Phillies players.
At the moment, it's unclear if this will put the resumption of the Phillies' season Saturday in risk but it is possible given MLB's reaction to the Marlins outbreak. The Phils are off until then after hosting a Marlins team on opening weekend that had half its roster test positive for coronavirus. Out of an abundance of caution, MLB postponed the Phillies' four-game home-and-home series against the Yankees that would have been July 27-30. It appears that series will be replayed next week, but who knows at this point.
The Phillies are scheduled to face the Blue Jays in a doubleheader beginning Saturday at 3:07 p.m. But this news, or more positive cases that arise, could change that. The Phillies are taking daily tests.
"We assume we'll be taking them for a while," GM Matt Klentak said Wednesday.
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