Report: Reds' Moustakas, Senzel Win Appeal After Negative COVID-19 Tests

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielder Nick Senzel have rejoined the team after winning an appeal following negative COVID-19 test results, per The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans and Ken Rosenthal. 

Rosecrans and Rosenthal reported Moustakas and Senzel appealed a ruling that had kept them out of the Reds' lineup since Sunday despite no longer showing symptoms and producing multiple negative coronavirus tests.

Cincinnati has dropped four straight games since a season-opening victory over the Detroit Tigers, with Rosecrans and Rosenthal noting Reds center fielders and second basemen have combined to go 0-for-20 during Moustakas and Senzel's absence. Outfielder Nick Castellanos expressed frustration after Tuesday's loss to the Chicago Cubs, per The Athletic.

"If you look at our lineup, unfortunately with some of these f--king protocols, you know, Moose and Senzel both have negative tests, but they are unable to play until Thursday," Castellanos said. "That's obviously been a big letdown because both of them are big parts of our lineup."

Moustakas believes he was dealing with food poisoning, while Senzel suspects he contracted a common head cold, according to Rosecrans and Rosenthal.

Winning the appeal would allow them to return Thursday for the series finale with the Cubs.

Moustakas, who signed a four-year, $64 million contract with the Reds in December, was off to a strong start with four hits, including a home run, in eight at-bats over his first two games with the team. Senzel, a 2016 first-round pick, is 0-for-7 this season.

The shortened 60-game regular season because of the coronavirus pandemic has increased the importance of each game. Every win or loss is equivalent to 2.7 wins or loss during a standard 162-game campaign, so the Reds' four-game losing streak is like nearly 11 straight in a normal year.

Infielder Matt Davidson was placed on the injured list after an outside test showed him positive for COVID-19. Two league tests have returned negative results, per The Athletic. He's not planning to appeal his placement on the IL, though.

MLB is proceeding with caution after the Miami Marlins' widespread coronavirus outbreak, which is likely playing a role in Moustakas and Senzel remaining sidelined, per Rosecrans and Rosenthal.

The Reds will attempt to get back in the win column Wednesday against the Cubs at 6:40 p.m. ET.

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Bleacher Report's David Gardner interviews athletes and other sports figures for the podcast How to Survive Without Sports.