KANSAS CITY -- Five games into his managerial career and just two days after his first win as Royals manager, Matt Quatraro won’t be in the dugout for the next couple of days after testing positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.

Bench coach Paul Hoover will serve as the interim manager while Quatraro quarantines, the Royals announced before Wednesday’s game against the Blue Jays at Kauffman Stadium. Quatraro came into contact with the virus from a source outside the team and called Hoover Wednesday morning to say he was getting tested. By 1 p.m., Hoover received word he’d be in the manager’s chair Wednesday night.

Quatraro will be reevaluated early next week, and depending on when he tests negative, he could rejoin the team in Texas for its three-game series against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.

“I’m just trying to get a handle on today before I even think about any days in the future,” Hoover said. “Everything’s been fine. Everybody’s been communicating well, and we just have somewhat of an idea on how we want to approach tonight’s game with bullpen usage and [Royals starter Zack [Greinke].”

Hoover managed at the rookie level in the Rays organization in 2012. Then he served as the Rays’ roving catching coordinator from 2013-18 before becoming the Rays’ Major League field coordinator in ‘18, coaching alongside Quatraro for Rays manager Kevin Cash. When Quatraro was named Kansas City’s manager in October, Hoover was Quatraro’s first hire.

The Royals are 1-4 on the young 2023 season, and they celebrated Quatraro’s first win on Monday with a champagne celebration for the rookie manager. It’s possible they’ll have another first managerial win to celebrate with Hoover sometime over the next few days.

Quatraro was still involved in pregame meetings with the coaches -- just over the phone instead of in the meeting room. But during the game, Hoover will lean on pitching coach Brian Sweeney, assistant pitching coach Zach Bove, field coordinator Vance Wilson and infield coach José Alguacil to make decisions in the dugout, while Quatraro will watch from home.

“A lot more responsibilities just as far as making the decision, so to speak, but we’ll do it collectively,” Hoover said. “The last four to five days, I’ve just been givng my opinion. Q’s ultimately making that decision.

“I’m happy that [Quatraro] and his family are doing well. … We have a good group around us that will help us get through these couple days.”