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Guardian vs. Sox postponed due to COVID-19 outbreak

Major League Baseball confirmed on Wednesday that the match between the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago White Sox was rescheduled due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the Guardians.

This is the first match of the 2022 MLB season to be rescheduled out of COVID-19 concerns. Terry Francona, the manager of the Guardians, tested positive.

“Following multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the Cleveland Guardians organization, their afternoon road game today vs. the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field has been postponed to allow for continued testing and contact tracing.” said the MLB in a statement. “Major League Baseball will provide a rescheduling update when it becomes available.”

According to MLB’s 2022 Covid-19 protocols, players, staff, and workers who come into direct contact with players must undergo daily health checks, and anybody reporting symptoms must be tested.

When a test came out positive, the person must isolate for up to 10 days before returning, unless certified by the club physician and the MLB’s joint committee, which consists of two physicians and two non-medical members.

Outbreak at Guardians

This is the first postponement due to coronavirus since the season began on April 7.

Infielders Owen Miller and Yu Chang, and also pitchers Cal Quantrill and Anthony Castro have all been added to the COVID-19 injured list. Except for Chang, who is still in the minors, everyone else has returned.

Guardians bench coach DeMarlo Hale, who was supposed to replace Francona, also tested positive for COVID. According to team spokesperson Bart Swain, the Guardians also had “many coaches and other club support staff members” sick with the virus.

Francona has been in a bad shape this season after two difficult years. He was hospitalized in 2020 due to stomach difficulties. Francona struggled last year after undergoing offseason foot surgery and leaving the squad in July.

It is unknown who will coach the Guardians when they begin a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. The club will almost certainly bring up numerous minor league coaches and field coordinators for the game.

First-base coach Sandy Alomar may be a candidate to manage the team. After Francona was forced to step out after only 14 games due to a health problem, he took up those responsibilities during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Guardians, White Sox’s previous matches

In their last match, the White Sox secured a victory 4-1 against the Guardians. Pitcher Lucas Giolito pitched seven innings in his second consecutive win, while first baseman Gavin Sheets homered in his second straight game.

Shortstop Tim Anderson had three hits and two RBI as the White Sox won their eighth game in a row.

Anderson’s single in the fifth inning gave the White Sox a 1-0 lead. Sheets blasted a two-run home run in the sixth, and Anderson followed with an RBI double in the seventh to chase Cleveland’s Cal Quantrill.

“That saying is true, you know: ‘The worst you can do is lose today because you’re still moping about yesterday,’” said White Sox manager Tony La Russa. “So clean the slate, and guys were ready to play, the clubhouse was really good before the game.”

Cleveland Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball as a member club of the American League Central division. (wikipedia)

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball as a member club of the American League Central division. (wikipedia)

Harry James' love for sports began in his high school basketball days. Sadly, an injury meant he couldn't further his NBA dreams, but the hooper's loss is our gain as he then found journalism.

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