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Marlins minor league spring training paused due to positive COVID-19 tests

At least five players/staff members have been infected during the outbreak.

By Ely Sussman Updated
A general view of the closed gates at the stadium after the spring training game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images

As first reported by South Florida radio host Andy Slater Saturday morning and confirmed by MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola, multiple individuals at the Marlins minor league complex in Jupiter have tested positive for COVID-19, forcing them to pause team activities through the weekend. That includes at least five players and staff members, according to Craig Mish.

The 2021 regular seasons for all full-season Marlins MiLB affiliates—Triple-A Jacksonville, Double-A Pensacola, High-A Beloit and Low-A Jupiter—are scheduled to begin on May 4, just 10 days from now.

Presumably, many of the decisions have already been made regarding which players will be assigned to which affiliates. Not all of them, however, as the Miami Herald recently reported that the organization’s top hitting prospect, JJ Bleday, could potentially go to either Double-A or Triple-A. The Marlins player development staff will now have less information than expected to use when filling out those rosters.

More than 120 players have been actively training at the complex, per the Herald’s Jordan McPherson (which does not include the Marlins active roster or alternate training site players who are based in Jacksonville).

Earlier this month, numerous Marlins prospects posted photos on Instagram of them receiving their COVID-19 vaccination shots, but apparently some did not follow suit. As of April 5, all Florida residents 18 years of age and older are eligible for the vaccine.

UPDATE (April 26, 1:55 p.m. ET)

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