Twins infielder Luis Arraez and right-hander Dylan Bundy have both tested positive for COVID-19, bench coach Jayce Tingler told Betsy Helfand of The St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter links) and other reporters. Manager Rocco Baldelli has also tested positive for the virus, so Tingler is serving as the team’s acting manager.
Tingler and GM Thad Levine addressed the media today about the situation, with Levine saying that the club is waiting on the results of several other tests of team personnel. If this wasn’t enough, outfielder Max Kepler is also under the weather due to another non-COVID illness that is floating around the clubhouse.
It is quite possible that more names could join Arraez and Bundy on the COVID list, but even in the best-case scenario that those are the only positive tests within what may be a minor outbreak, losing even two more players isn’t good for a Twins team that already has several key figures on the regular injured list. Bundy will join Bailey Ober and Sonny Gray as rotation members on the 10-day IL, though Gray is on the verge of a return. Utilityman Arraez was already plugging another hole, playing first base while Miguel Sano is out due to knee surgery.
As per the 2022 version of the league’s COVID protocols, Arraez and Bundy will miss at least the next 10 days, though they may make an earlier return if they meet three criteria — two negative PCR tests, at least 24 hours without a fever, and approval from a team doctor and a MLB/MLBPA joint committee of two other physicians.
Speedy recovery to Rocco, Luis, Dylan, and everyone else out there who has it.
Lol!
Have replacements been named?
FWIW, Arraez wasn’t playing first base the last two games because of Jose Miranda, so I think the Twins will be fine there.
Jose Miranda was an excellent defensive 1B in MiLB. He can also play 3B and 2B.
When will Buxton join them?
He will probably fall and hurt his leg en route to the list.
I’m part of the Bundy fan club and he’s been lit up his last two starts. Probably the only thing positive
“ Probably the only thing positive”
Incorrect! His test results were positive as well.
if these guys have no symptoms why are we testing? stupid. move on.