Report: MLB Hasn't Had Talks of Pausing Season amid Marlins' COVID-19 Outbreak

Despite an outbreak of COVID-19 within the Miami Marlins organization, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported Monday "there's been no serious discussion at this point about pausing/suspending the season."

The Marlins have had at least 14 players and staff test positive for the coronavirus, including eight players and two coaches who tested positive in the most recent round of tests, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported at least 11 of 33 traveling players have tested positive.

MLB announced Monday's game between the Marlins and Baltimore Orioles has been postponed, as well as the matchup between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Marlins just finished a series in Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, where the Yankees and Phillies were scheduled to play Monday night.

Marlins CEO Derek Jeter provided an update on the situation:

The Marlins reportedly had three players learn Sunday they had tested positive for the virus but decided not to postpone the scheduled game against the Phillies (an 11-6 Marlins win).

Miami manager Don Mattingly said his team "never really considered not playing," according to Rosenthal and Jayson Stark of The Athletic.

Two epidemiologists told Rosenthal and Stark the positive tests indicated an "outbreak" and things should have been shut down. One also noted teams were shutting down practices without test results earlier in July.

The Washington Nationals were among the teams to cancel a summer camp session because of testing delays.

MLB created safety protocols to account for the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, including testing every other day along with rules that include no spitting and limited contact between personnel. There is also a COVID-19 injury list based on a positive test or a player who shows symptoms of the disease.

Those who test positive must have two negative tests at least 24 hours apart in order to return.