Elephant Rumblings: Mets latest team with positive coronavirus test

Good morning, Athletics Nation!

Just as Major League Baseball got its full slate of teams back in action amid the coronavirus pandemic, another one has now been hit by a new positive test.

The New York Mets are the latest club to have their schedule interrupted by the virus, first reported by insider Jon Heyman as well as Tim Healey of Newsday. Their game Thursday against the Miami Marlins was rain-checked after one player and one coach tested positive (via Mike Puma, NY Post), and their Friday matchup against the Yankees is also now listed as postponed. They are not believed to have violated protocol in any way leading to these new infections, per Andy Martino of SNY.

The Mets are the fourth team to have a virus case come up during the season. The Marlins got it first and worst, with 18 players being affected, and the St. Louis Cardinals missed two weeks while their own outbreak ran its course in multiple waves. Most recently, the Cincinnati Reds postponed three games after one player tested positive, but they resumed play on Wednesday.

The bad news is that these outbreaks keep happening, even when teams follow the rules, which highlights the risk of operating the sport in 30 locations across the country with no bubble of any kind. The good news is that each episode has gotten less severe, from the Marlins losing half their team, down to the Cards with around 10 players getting it, down to the Reds limiting it to just one player. If the Mets’ situation doesn’t get any worse, then it could offer hope that future issues are manageable.

A’s Coverage

• Slusser: Matt Chapman belts 2 homers, Sean Manaea solid again in A’s win over Arizona ($)
• Hickey: Smoke from NorCal Fires Can’t Stop Athletics from Beating D-Backs Again
• Hickey: Grossman Doesn’t Get Much Ink, but He Continues to Set Up Athletics’ Offense
• Gallegos: Chapman focused on increasing walk rate
• Kawahara: You again? A’s set to face familiar Angels pitching this weekend ($)
• Kawahara: A’s Robbie Grossman off to ‘great’ start after adjustments ($)
• Game #26: Sean Manaea and the Matts heat up in 5-1 win over D’Backs

MLB News & Interest

• Byrne (roundup): Rangers Place Willie Calhoun, Elvis Andrus On IL; Select Yadiel Rivera
• Today in Baseball History

Yesterday’s Game Highlights

Thursday: Win! And so many Matt homers.

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Wishing the best to Aldrete!