CHICAGO -- The White Sox announced Sunday morning that two players tested positive for COVID-19 as part of Major League Baseball’s return to play health protocols where players, staff and front office members receive testing.

Both players who tested positive are asymptomatic, have been isolated in Chicago and are being monitored by White Sox medical staff. Contact tracing was conducted. The individuals will receive follow-up testing in the coming days, and they will return to activities once they have recorded consecutive negative tests and passed appropriate COVID-19 protocols.

“The health of our players and staff is our top priority, and the White Sox are adhering to all MLB health and safety protocols,” the White Sox statement read. “We cannot comment on the health status of individual players or employees regarding COVID-19, and the players involved requested privacy at this time related to their health situations.”

These two positive COVID-19 tests for the White Sox were identified during the intake process, and those players were never inside the facility for any activity.

“We were surprised, the guys were asymptomatic, we’ll proceed with the protocol now, we’ll get them back safely and back on the field,” manager Rick Renteria said. “I think they understand the consequence of potential infection, and in terms of specifically who it may or may not be it’s not really relevant at this particular moment for us.”

José Abreu admitted to the overall situation being difficult because of the adjustments to the players' routines, but added that he knows they are adjustments that needed to be made.

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“We all had our habits, and now you have to adjust those habits or those routines to the new schedules,” said Abreu through interpreter Billy Russo. “But I think the team is doing all the things they need to do in order to keep us safe and healthy.

“I think it's going to take a few days for us to feel real comfortable and get used to it. But I think at the end, I think we're going to do it without any major problems.”

Rodón feeling good

Carlos Rodón described himself as pretty much 100 percent after throwing three innings and 45 pitches during live batting practice at Sunday afternoon’s workouts. Rodón, who had Tommy John surgery last May, mixed in all his pitches, terming the fastball feel as “electric,” after using the time off from the coronavirus pandemic to prepare for this return.

“Feeling healthy. It's been a little while since my arm has felt this good,” said Rodón on Sunday. “Building up the right way, I guess, having all this time to build up the proper way to be ready to pitch.

“There's a lot of things that go into Tommy John and the rehab. Not that it's hard, it's just monotonous and it's every day. I put a lot of time into it this year, so I'm looking for some good results.”

Rodón has made 90 starts among his 93 big league appearances, and the southpaw views himself as a starter. He’s one of six rotation candidates the White Sox have for this 60-game 2020 run, without even including Michael Kopech, Dane Dunning or Jimmy Lambert at this point. So, Rodón understands floating between the rotation and the bullpen is a possibility.

“This season's pretty unique, obviously, with a 60-game schedule,” Rodón said. “I think a lot of us are going to have to encompass different roles.

“Plus, we have a surplus of arms that we'll get to use, and I think there's some creative ways we could go about using them. All of us are pretty willing to step into any role we can to help this team win. We have a chance just as much as anyone.”

Setting the schedule

Lucas Giolito will throw a simulated game Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field, a point clarified by the team after it was announced its projected Opening Day starter would throw on Sunday. Reliever Steve Cishek will start the first intrasquad game set for Thursday, with Dallas Keuchel and Rodón pitching Friday and Dylan Cease and Reynaldo López on Saturday.

Tuesday is the target date for the morning and afternoon workout crews to join together, per Renteria.

“Obviously, being still very mindful of all the protocol that is in place,” Renteria said. “Once we get to that point, we'll be able to mix and match a bit, depending on what we need to do.”

They said it

“Whether you're a child or an adult, this is not something to be taken lightly. I hope that we continue to do what we can for each other. I do look at it as a responsibility to take care of my fellow man by doing my part.” -- Renteria, on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic

“First day coming back, it's a good feeling. It feels like home, right? You see the stadium off 90/94 and pulling in, turning on 35th. I was just happy to walk on a field that's an actual stadium instead of being in Arizona on the backfields.” -- Rodón