LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing uncertainty today because of third baseman Justin Turner's positive coronavirus test.
“Subsequent tests we're going to take are really important to figure out what we do and to make sure that any of us that are potentially positive don't spread it to other people,'' Dodgers' President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said at a news conference after Tuesday's 3-1 victory Tampa Bay Rays gave the team its first World Series championship since 1988.
“Obviously from our standpoint, that contact tracing (figuring) out who's been around him and the tests are all going to be incredibly important from this point forward. Before we are to interact with other people I think it is important for us all to clear the requisite testing hurdles before we do that.''
Turner was removed from the game before the start of the eighth inning, then was “quarantined in a doctor's office off to the side,'' Friedman said.
Turner joined the championship celebration on the field at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, including holding the Commissioner's Trophy, kissing his wife Kourtney and sitting next to manager Dave Roberts for a team picture, all without a mask.
“From his standpoint him having a chance to take a picture with the trophy was incredibly meaningful to him,'' Friedman said. “It's hard for me to say specifically about the on-field because I didn't see everything that happened or didn't.''
Turner has been with the Dodgers since 2014 and is a free agent. He will turn 36 on Nov. 23.
Ken Rosenthal, a reporter on Fox's Major League Baseball telecasts, tweeted that the result from a coronavirus test Turner took Monday came back in the second inning.
Turner's test from Tuesday “was then expedited, and when it came back positive, he was removed from the game,'' Rosenthal tweeted.
At 9:28 p.m. PDT Tuesday Turner tweeted: “Thanks to everyone reaching out! I feel great, no symptoms at all. Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine. Can't believe I couldn't be out there to celebrate with my guys! So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA. #WorldSeriesChamps.''
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