Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu and right-hander Luis Cessa have both tested positive for the coronavirus, manager Aaron Boone told reporters (including ESPN’s Marly Rivera). Cessa has mild symptoms, while LeMahieu is asymptomatic. Neither player has arrived at the Yankees’ Summer Camp, as both were tested before making the trip to New York.
As per the league’s COVID-19 policy, LeMahieu and Cessa are under quarantine for a two-week period, and will then have to exhibit no symptoms and test negative twice for the virus before being cleared to play. With Opening Day tentatively scheduled for July 23, that leaves some time for either player to make the initial 30-man roster, though Cessa might need a bit more time to get his arm in proper shape.
LeMahieu is coming off a superb debut season with the Yankees, as the veteran finished fourth in AL MVP voting and collected Silver Slugger honors after hitting .327/.375/.518 with 26 home runs in 655 plate appearances. After getting a lot of playing time at first, second, and third base last season, LeMahieu is expected to be New York’s regular second baseman now that Gleyber Torres is taking over at shortstop, though LeMahieu’s versatility will give Boone some valuable flexibility in juggling his lineup.
Cessa has worked as a reliever and occasional starter for the Yankees over his four MLB seasons, and posted a 4.11 ERA, 2.42 K/BB rate, and 8.3 K/9 over 81 innings (all as a reliever) in 2019. This workhorse-like ability to eat innings is particularly valuable in a short season, where New York’s entire staff will be called upon while the starters get ramped up.
All these big names opting out expressing hesitation and confirmed positive test cases don’t paint a positive outlook for the season IMHO.
I have found that no matter what my comment is whether it be there gonna play or there not, i end up a white supremacist, a racist, apparently my mom came back to life and has a basement, im stupid and uneducated and today i found out im no longer an american. Fun times.
Maybe you stop posting stupid, bigoted stuff.
Lol. Earlier i said everyone needs to quit saying what the players should do and let them make decisions that are best for them and thats bigoted and stupid? Id love an explanation please
Using correct punctuation, spelling and grammar might go a long way toward garnering some respect, too.
You forgot bigoted. Luckily there always is one of these people around to remind you.
Ironman – that’s what happens when you ask questions and dont automatically agree with the current mood.
There is a good chance that this comment gets some similar responses.
Stop acting like that and respect others and just maybe you will gain some respect in the process. Be the change.
Disagreeing with something doesn’t make you a bigot. A lot of the people calling others bigots are indeed the bigots themselves – it’s their way or the highway. No conversation. No debate.
Be the change? Did you read that on a fortune cookie or something?
Go O’s
Humans always judge others for being different, no one is an exception. So when you mention that certain people are being judgmental towards you, the only accomplishment you achieve is making yourself feel better.
Not that there is anything wrong with that, comments are made for the benefit of the of those who make them (even mine). I just find it pointless, especially since it is almost guaranteed to not convince the people judging you to rethink their actions due to a lack of incentive reasoning.
To each their own, though. After all, got to shave time to get the day over with.
Even of you don’t think DJL will repeat with a year even close to 2019, he’s still a tough loss, especially if Tanaka is sidelined.
Can’t say I didn’t expect the Yankees to be virus free
I expected to be virus free when I got tested. I went in for my virus screen and turns out I got crabs and have to use some special comb
As Michael Scott would say, when you get a $5 lady of the night, “what’d you expect, lobster?”
I wonder how many teams will actually have 26 qualified big leaguers by the time the season starts…if it starts.
Calm down, Chicken Little. Only a little over 1% of players tested positive.
Lol – funny guy. It’s a fair question given the amount of players who have tested positive in the last two days. Also the amount of people who have and who are said to be considering opting out of playing.
Its still 1.2%. The names being released does not change the encouraging test results from friday.
16 MLB teams are in states that require everyone that comes in contact with a person testing positive to be quarantined for 14 days. When the first MLB player tests positive and the entire clubhouse including all 29 other players, the coaches, and the rest of the staff all are required to be quarantined, the season will be over.
I’ve been saying this since before Rob M declared the season. The RW has 50 different governors who get to make up their (there or they’re for you grammar trolls) own rules. No way MLB can successfully navigate that hot mess. Add in Canada and certain mayors and it’ll be impossible to play the full 60 games.
I think a modified ‘bubble’ solution is possible. Meaning- multiple teams go to NYS, Florida, CA and Az where they serve their quarantine and play in that states multiple ballparks. Possible yes, but unlikely to be well received in practice. Other Pro Sports leagues will have a similar fate in 2020. 2021 looks more and more like a season in a bubble as either a planned approach or a fallback plan unless sports teams are given modified rules / exceptions by municipalities. Dont count on it. My suggestion is that they avoid NYC which has the combination of worst in the world death rate, terrible Leadership (go to lunar new year festivals, Mayor visits YMCA mid-March when everyone else is closing up shop) and is still making terrible decisions (don’t let contact tracers ask if patients have been to a mass demonstration). That set of circumstances is not compatible with trying to maintain a sports schedule.
Some teams will be cutting it close. Thankfully they all start with 60. It’s only been a couple days and it’s getting close to 100 that have been stricken down or opted out on this season already. Season probably doesn’t go off.
Wait.
What now? 100 players have been stricken [sic] down?
Can you show your work on this one?
It’s fairly basic math. 30 MLB teams times 3 or 4 infections per team = 90 – 120 infected players. Seems about right.
Don’t understand how any reasonable fan thinks that the NFL is going to be able to play this season. Baseball is one thing, but football doesn’t allow for social distancing.
Tough day for the Yankess
For real.
Yankee fans are…um – a bit shell shocked due to last season’s historic bad run of injuries.
Gonna be some folks out on the ledge this evening, serious.
At least we know Stanton is tracking the ball.