Coronavirus outbreak hits Phillies contingent in Clearwater

According to a report from NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury, multiple Phillies players have tested positive for COVID-19. There were a total of eight positive tests within the Phillies organization within the last several days. The team is awaiting more tests result, so it’s likely we’ll see more than eight positive tests.

Five players and three staff members have tested positive. All the players have been training at the Phillies’ spring training facility in Clearwater, Florida. Their identities are not known.

None of the eight who have tested positive have been hospitalized.

According to Salisbury, the Phillies closed their Florida facilities in mid-March but over the past few weeks, the team allowed more players to use the facilities and work in small groups.

This comes at a time when MLB and the players union are working on a deal to begin the 2020 season. This could further complicate MLB’s restart if a deal is made.

Update 12:39 pm: The Phillies have released the following statement:

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