Elephant Rumblings: Miami Marlins home opener canceled after barrage of positive coronavirus tests

Good morning, Athletics Nation!

The 2020 MLB season got started last weekend, and for Oakland A’s fans it was everything we’d hoped for after an extra four-month wait for baseball. However, everyone has always known that this campaign still lies in a precarious position, with the coronavirus pandemic remaining prevalent throughout the country and threatening to shut things down again at any moment.

That worst-case possibility has already shown the first signs of emerging. The Miami Marlins, playing in one of the biggest virus hotspots in the nation, have reported over a dozen positive tests for coronavirus among their 33 players (roster plus taxi squad) and staff, including between nine and 11 players. The first four were reported Sunday, with the rest coming to light Monday morning.

As a result of this outbreak, the Marlins home opener Monday against the Orioles has been postponed. In addition, the team they were playing against last weekend, the Phillies, also had their Monday home opener (against the Yankees) set back as a precaution.

This is the first real test of the viability of this season. Can this outbreak be contained, without spreading, and without effectively removing one or more teams from the 2020 season? Missing two weeks for quarantine is nearly a full quarter of the schedule, which begins to really challenge the competitive integrity of the game.

There were also a couple reminders of how serious the disease is. Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez is dealing with heart complications after his bout with the virus, and D’Backs international scout Johan Maya passed away last week at age 40.

For now there is still baseball. Hopefully that continues to last because everyone stays safe and healthy.

A’s Coverage:

• Kawahara: A’s lefty A.J. Puk playing catch but ‘a ways off’ from potential return ($)
• Kawahara: A’s pitcher Mike Fiers: ‘Every win counts as three’ in shortened season ($)
• Kawahara: A’s lefty Sean Manaea ‘totally confident’ as rotation depth is tested early ($)
• Kawahara: A’s Jesús Luzardo passes first regular-season test ‘with flying colors,’ may join rotation soon ($)
• Kawahara: A’s Chris Bassitt says players took fans ‘somewhat for granted’ ($)
• Slusser: Protest opposing ballpark plans set for Coliseum before A’s opener ($)
• Slusser: Will expanded playoffs help A’s, or hinder team that struggles to advance? ($)
• Slusser: A’s Bob Melvin shuffles lineup ‘to keep everybody involved’ ($)
• Slusser: A’s overlook safety protocols during on-field celebration after Olson’s walkoff ($)
• Gallegos: A’s: Playoff format ‘gives us a better chance’
• Coffey: How the A’s Ramón Laureano worked to launch himself into his hot start ($$$)
• Hickey: For a Season Athletics’ Laureano was Never Sure Would Happen, He’s off to a Great Start
• Hickey: Athletics’ GM Forst Ready to `Throw out the Norms’ as 2020 Starts Up Tonight
• Hickey: Fortunes Swing Wildly in AL West as Athletics Win, But Astros, Rangers & Angels Develop Starting Pitcher Issues
• Hickey: Bassitt Goes into Monday Start Missing Both Athletics’ Fans and Fellow Starters
• Hickey: Social Distancing Loses First Confrontation With Celebrating an Athletics Walkoff Win

Best of AN:

• A’s opening weekend roundup: Two wins, a loss, and an Opening Day pregame ceremony
• AL West update: Astros’ Justin Verlander, Rangers’ Corey Kluber out with injuries
• Jesus Luzardo aces season debut, could be in rotation soon
• Quick look: T.J. McFarland stays grounded in A’s debut
• Quick look: Burch Smith earns win inA’s debut
• MLB 2020 expanded playoffs: Pro and con of the new setup
• Tom Hanks will be featured in Coliseum crowd noise
• A’s cardboard cutouts include Astros mascot Orbit in a trash can

MLB News, & Interest:

• GoFundMe: Support for late D’Backs scout Johan Maya’s wife Edulig & children
• Matheson: Blue Jays finalize 2020 home schedule (in Buffalo)
• Leitch: 30 teams, 30 first impressions
• Kelly: For first time in 66 years, no team starts 3-0
• Today in Baseball History

Weekend Game Highlights:

Friday: Win!

Saturday: Loss, but Luzardo debut!

Sunday: Win!

Best of A’s Twitter:

Love every single thing about this tweet

I mustache you a question

Beary Zito?

Good luck with that!

A little taste of the Coliseum Diamond Vision at home

It’s similar to getting free pizza

Best of MLB Twitter:

National treasure

It’s always Sonny

Regardless of your views, THIS is what a leader looks like

AL West injury

Former Athletic back in the majors-ish

And another!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!