Pirates play home opener as Marlins coronavirus outbreak raises concerns

Before the Pittsburgh Pirates could play their home opener at PNC Park, a coronavirus outbreak with the Miami Marlins forced MLB to postpone two games and threatened to put the shortened season in jeopardy.

Reports that the Marlins have at least 14 cases of positive covid-19 among their players, coaches and staff after baseball’s opening weekend sent ripples throughout the sports world.

The Marlins postponed their home opener against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday night. The Philadelphia Phillies, who hosted the Marlins all weekend, also postponed their home game against the New York Yankees. What that means for a 60-game season designed to be played in 66 days, only MLB commissioner Rob Manfred might know.

The Pirates proceeded with playing their first home game, hosting the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday night. The game marked the return to the starting lineup of Gregory Polanco, one of five Pirates players to test positive during training camp, and manager Derek Shelton emphasized the need for teams to follow health and safety protocols.

“I think we all knew at some point there was going to be some sort of positive testing with the group,” Shelton said. “I think we continue to evaluate and find information out. Most importantly, just continue to make sure that we’re abiding by everything they’ve put in place. There’s so many different factors of when we travel and how things go, and we have to be aware and we have to continue to learn what’s going on.”

The Marlins’ outbreak will provide an early test to baseball’s protocols and backup plan. In addition to an active 30-man major league roster, each team has 30 players who can serve as emergency replacements training at satellite camps.

Marlins manager Don Mattingly, however, suggested Sunday there has to be discussions before the situation can be resolved because of the opt-out clause that allows players to decline to play for health concerns without forfeiting their prorated salary.

“They can honestly refuse not to play, right?” Mattingly said. “Everybody could opt out. … I think it’s fair to say that guys are concerned about things and they want their feelings to be heard. I think it’s fair. We’re talking about health, traveling back to their homes and their families and their kids. It’s a reason we want to be safe. They have a voice.”

Pirates pitcher Derek Holland said the team stayed inside its so-called bubble in St. Louis, limiting its travel from the hotel to Busch Stadium and back by walking or using team-provided transportation. With the Pirates playing strictly Central Division opponents in the American and National leagues, they don’t have to worry about crossover with teams in the East such as Miami and Philadelphia.

“It could happen to any team,” Holland said. “But I think the way that we’re going about our business, we’re taking care of ourselves. We’ve got to focus on our own doings. … But we definitely did everything we’re supposed to do, so I don’t think we’re too worried.

“The main thing that we can worry about is what the Pittsburgh Pirates are doing, what this staff has done to put us in the right place and how to handle it.”

Even so, Holland was one of many Pirates who mingled with Brewers players during batting practice. The protocols haven’t stopped players from exchanging handshakes, hugs and fist bumps with their opponents, let alone their teammates.

“I think we just have to have trust in the fact that people are going to follow the protocols. Honestly, our group has been really good,” said Shelton, tapping his knuckles on the wood table in the Zoom room at PNC Park. “You just have to continue to be mindful of it. We can’t control what other people do, but we have to just trust that everybody is following those protocols.”

Shelton anticipates MLB making adjustments — an overriding theme to a season played during a pandemic — and is preaching to the Pirates to take every precaution necessary.

Baseball has gone to great lengths to practice safe distancing in dugouts, with the Pirates providing auxiliary seating under pop-up tents behind home plate and in left field for players and coaches. Some players are even wearing face coverings on the field. But it could come down to how diligently they follow the protocols outside the ballpark.

“Ultimately, it comes down to the players,” Shelton said. “The players have to be responsible for themselves because they’re grown men and they’re making decisions, and we’re asking them to make the decisions that are not only accountable for themselves but for our families and our kids and our wives and everybody else.”