Dodgers hit by virus, causing players to sit out

Font steps up to start in place of Ryu vs. Padres

February 28th, 2018

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- A viral outbreak has spread through the Dodgers' clubhouse, resulting in about two dozen players being sent home, including , who was Wednesday's scheduled starting pitcher vs. the Padres.
"I haven't seen anything like this," said manager Dave Roberts. "There's 24 or 25 guys, there's a bug going around our clubhouse. Just to be cautious, we sent all those guys home. We had to piecemeal the roster together for today and get through it. We're just classifying it as a bug in the clubhouse. Guys are getting the chills and kind of fatigued, things like that. It happened overnight. Had some coaches I went to dinner with last night, and they're feeling bad."
inherited the start against the Padres at Peoria, allowing one run on a homer to over two innings with four strikeouts in a 10-5 loss to San Diego.
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In addition to Ryu, players not making the trip included , , , , , , Rob Segedin and .
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Roberts said the illness generally lasts one to three days. He said among the ailing are several trainers and reliever Josh Fields, who was scheduled to face hitters for the first time this spring. Additionally, the club's medical department set up several "biodefense system" air purifiers in the clubhouse in an attempt to reduce the spread of germs.
Impervious to the outbreak, Chris Taylor, , and occupied the first four spots of the batting order for the game against the Padres.