Chicago Cubs: Miami Marlins positive COVID-19 tests raise concerns about MLB season

The Chicago Cubs and the rest of the MLB are concerned about the 2020 season as a result of the Miami Marlins COVID-19 outbreak.

After a long and dreary four months of the sports world being shut down by a global pandemic, Major Leauge Baseball, and Chicago Cubs baseball has resumed play and the 60-game abbreviated 2020 season has been underway.

However, COVID-19 related issues have been putting the season in jeopardy since summer camp began and are continuing to do so. The Miami Marlins, who played the Philadelphia Phillies over the weekend at Citizens Bank Park, reportedly have over a dozen players and coaches who have tested positive for the virus since last week.

As a result, Major Leauge Baseball postponed the Marlins’ home opener against the Baltimore Orioles that was supposed to take place Monday night at Marlins Park. The New York Yankees game against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park that was scheduled for Monday night was also postponed.

Marlins’ CEO Derek Jeter released a statement saying that postponing the game on Monday was “the correct decision” and added that the team would be staying in Philadelphia, pending the results of a new round of testing.

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The Baltimore Orioles have flown home from Miami on Monday night. After the testing is complete, the Marlins will presumably make their way to Baltimore to play against the Orioles on Wednesday and Thursday at Camden Yards. While this situation isn’t surprising, it does raise concerns for the Marlins, as well as the rest of the league, and how a season should be held and conducted during a pandemic.

For starters, the MLB has tried to limit COVID-19 outbreaks by holding games without fan attendance, banning high-fives, fist bumps, spitting, and encouraging both social distancing and mask-wearing among players and staff.

Also, the league has testing measures in place to try to warrant as safe of an environment for the game to be played as possible. Despite all of these precautions, the coronavirus is unpredictable, and there could be more issues like this one to come.

For the time being, the 2020 season has not been delayed or canceled. Team owners and league commissioner Rob Manfred held an emergency conference call on Monday afternoon and have decided to let the season continue.

However, this could still lead to more players opting out of the season. As for the Chicago Cubs, the team won their opening series against the Milwaukee Brewers and is on the road amidst a four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds. Hopefully, teams can continue to follow the safety precautions in place and the 2020 baseball season can continue.