Kevin Plawecki and 2 Red Sox Staffers Test Positive for COVID; Catcher Is Vaccinated

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVApril 18, 2022

Boston Red Sox's Kevin Plawecki during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees Sunday, April 10, 2022, in New York. The Red Sox won 4-3. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Three members of the Boston Red Sox organization, including catcher Kevin Plawecki, tested positive for COVID-19.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters the two other positive tests came from staffers who don't work in coaching roles. Cora added that Plawecki has been vaccinated.

Connor Wong, who opened the season with the Worcester Red Sox in Triple-A, will be added to the active roster to replace Plawecki ahead of Monday's game against the Minnesota Twins.

Wong will back up Christian Vazquez, who was given the start behind the plate.

Red Sox @RedSox
Morning baseball on Patriots' Day: A tradition like no other. <a href="https://t.co/fNezH5lVPJ">pic.twitter.com/fNezH5lVPJ</a>

Plawecki has appeared in four games this season, going 1-for-10 with one RBI. He started Sunday's 8-1 win over the Twins.

Wong made his MLB debut last June and logged six appearances. A third-round pick in the 2017 draft, he has a .272/.332/.494 slash line with 56 home runs and 186 RBI over 295 appearances in the minors.

Ahead of the regular season, MLB and the MLB Players Association amended the COVID-19 protocols to cease regular testing for asymptomatic individuals. Under the terms of the protocols, Plawecki could miss 10 days but has the opportunity to expedite his return.

Pete Abraham @PeteAbe
Plawecki will be out 10 days, but it could be less.<br><br>If he has two negative PCR tests, no fever and approval from the joint Covid medical committee, it can be sooner.

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Beyond Plawecki, Cora said he's bracing for multiple members of the roster to be unavailable when the Red Sox begin their four-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays on April 25. Unvaccinated players are unable to travel into Canada.