Yadier Molina, Paul DeJong Among 6 Cardinals Players Diagnosed with COVID-19

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured ColumnistAugust 4, 2020

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina takes up his position during an intrasquad practice baseball game at Busch Stadium Thursday, July 9, 2020, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Catcher Yadier Molina and shortstop Paul DeJong were among the six St. Louis Cardinals revealed to have tested positive for the coronavirus amid the outbreak within the organization:

St. Louis Cardinals @Cardinals
We are aware that Yadier Molina, Paul DeJong, Junior Fernández, Rangel Ravelo, Edmundo Sosa and Kodi Whitley have tested positive for COVID-19. All six individuals made the decision to grant permission in order to release this information. https://t.co/tqjcG6SNx0

Molina announced earlier on Instagram that he was among the Cardinals players who tested positive for COVID-19.

Erica Weston @EricaLWeston
Yadier Molina announces on his Instagram that he has tested positive or COVID-19. #STLCards https://t.co/F5gHofXWha

Mark Saxon @markasaxon
Yadier Molina's verified Instagram account says, in Spanish, "I have tested positive for Covid-19 after following the recommended protocols." Goes on to promise he'll return as soon as he can.

Major League Baseball confirmed Monday that 13 players and staff members from St. Louis had tested positive for COVID-19. As a result, the team's four-game series with the Detroit Tigers was postponed.

The Cardinals shared a statement from Molina:

"I am saddened to have tested positive for COVID-19, even after adhering to safety guidelines that were put in place. I will do everything within my power to return as soon as possible for Cardinals fans, the city of St. Louis and my teammates. As I recover, I request that you please respect my privacy and family in my absence from the team."

Former MLB player Jerry Hairston Jr. reported last Saturday he heard some Cardinals players had visited a casino prior to their outbreak. Jon Heyman of MLB Network corroborated the claim, reporting "at least a couple Cardinals" traveled to a casino.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak expressed doubt as to the veracity of the reports.

"I have no factual reason to believe that is true, and I have not seen any proof of that," he said, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. "If they were at a casino, though, that would be disappointing."

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Molina's positive test will take him out of the lineup, and it's impossible to know for sure when he'll return.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez will miss the entire season after testing positive for COVID-19 and subsequently being diagnosed with myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart.

Molina had appeared in five games to start the 2020 campaign, going 4-for-18 with one RBI and a .222 slugging percentage. His absence will likely mean Matt Wieters takes over as St. Louis' everyday catcher.

DeJong, meanwhile, has started the season 4-for-19 with one home run and four RBI in five appearances.

The Cardinals are tentatively scheduled to resume play Friday against the Chicago Cubs.