Astros player tests positive for COVID-19

June 20th, 2020

HOUSTON -- The Astros recently had one player test positive for COVID-19 at the team’s facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., general manager James Click said Friday. The player, who wasn’t identified, exhibited minor symptoms and is recovering well, Click said.

“The silver lining is we followed procedure and there were no other positive tests,” Click said.

There were no other positive tests at the facility, where about seven or eight players have been working out since last month. Roughly 50 people who work in or around the facility were tested and all were negative. The Astros said no players working out in Houston have tested positive.

Last month, the Astros opened Minute Maid Park and their Spring Training facility in West Palm Beach for limited individual workouts. Strict guidelines and protocols were put in place for all players. The club had to get clearance from local government, Major League Baseball, the CDC and team doctors to open the doors to players.

Among the safety measures in effect are temperature screenings before anyone enters the facility, which has been a common practice for those entering businesses in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic that has shuttered the sports world since March.

Earlier Friday, the Phillies confirmed they had five players and three staff members working at the team’s facilities in Clearwater, Fla., test positive for COVID-19. Thirty-two others, including 12 staff members and 20 players on Major League and Minor League rosters, have been tested and await results. Eight staff members tested negative.

Also, the Blue Jays shut down their facilities in nearby Dunedin, Fla., after one player exhibited coronavirus symptoms, the team announced on Friday. The club issued a statement following a report from ESPN that a player on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster underwent testing after exhibiting those symptoms.