Multiple members of the St. Louis Cardinals traveling party tested positive for COVID-19 on preliminary exams, forcing the postponement of Saturday’s game in Milwaukee against the Brewers.
Several media outlets reported that Sunday’s doubleheader at Miller Park has also been postponed.
In a statement issued Saturday afternoon, Major League Baseball said rapid tests indicated one player and an unspecified number of staff members could be positive. The team was awaiting results of saliva tests sent to a laboratory for confirmation.
The Cardinals confirmed Friday that two players tested positive before the team left Minnesota, where they concluded a series on Wednesday.
No makeup dates have been announced for the series, which began with the postponement of the Brewers’ home opener on Friday.
Earlier Saturday, commissioner Rob Manfred told ESPN “there is no reason to quit now” despite the wave of positive tests and postponements in the early going of the 60-game season.
“We are playing,” Manfred told ESPN’s Karl Ravech. “The players need to be better, but I am not a quitter in general and there is no reason to quit now. We have to be fluid, but it is manageable.”
The league also announced that the Philadelphia Phillies will resume play on Monday against the host New York Yankees, while the Miami Marlins will return to the field Tuesday against the Orioles in Baltimore.
The Phillies and Marlins have not played since finishing their season-opening three-game series in Philadelphia on July 26. A total of 18 Miami players tested positive, as did one coach and one staff member for Philadelphia.
–Field Level Media ()