Aroldis Chapman tests positive for coronavirus

July 13, 2020

The closer for the New York Yankees Aroldis Chapman became the third Major League player on the team to test positive for coronavirus, announced manager Aaron Boone on Saturday afternoon.

"We had a positive test in a player, it was Aroldis Chapman, so he is not in camp with us. He has mild symptoms, but overall he is doing well," said Boone. "He will not be here in the near future. Beyond that, I'm not going to make any further comments about him."

Chapman joined Mexican pitcher Luis Cessa and infielder DJ LeMahieu, who tested positive before heading to New York to complete the admission testing protocols prior to starting the second phase of training ahead of the abbreviated 2020 season, scheduled to begin on July 23.

The 'Cuban Missile' passed all admission tests and was allowed to report to training at Yankees Stadium, where he had been since last Sunday. Chapman even addressed the media on Wednesday and spoke about feeling "ready to play" after throwing two bullpen sessions.

When asked for a comment, Chapman told ESPN Digital that he was feeling well and that he had "very few symptoms." Since MLB also provides access to regular COVID-19 tests to people residing in each player's household, Chapman's assistant and right-hand man and personal trainer also tested for coronavirus, with negative results.

"At this time, I feel that we are following all protocols. We haven't had any other positive tests. We have complied with all contact tracing protocols. So we feel that we have handled things well and we will continue to handle them," added Boone. "And again, this is something that, even in the future, we will probably have another positive test, and it's a matter of doing everything necessary so that, hopefully, together, we keep ourselves safe and healthy. But at this time we feel that we are doing a good job."

There is no set of protocols that can completely eliminate the risk of contracting COVID-19, but Major League Baseball and the players' union agreed to a comprehensive set of rules and regulations to avoid having to stop the season due to positive tests, which are contained in the extensive "2020 Operations Manual." After a positive test, which indicates that the individual has COVID-19, they are instructed to immediately isolate and be treated consistently with all protocols upon obtaining positive results, as detailed in the manual.

The three players who tested positive authorized the Yankees to disclose their names, as teams are not required, nor permitted, to disclose the names of any player who tests positive for COVID-19 without that person agreeing to reveal their positive test status.