TAMPA — The Yankees confirmed on Tuesday they have had a second minor league player test positive for coronavirus.
A day after it was learned 17-year-old right-hander Denny Larrondo was the first professional baseball player to test positive for COVID-19, the Yankees were hit with another case, to a player who has not been named.
“While under self-quarantine, the player reported fatigue and an elevated body temperature to Yankees medical personnel,’’ the team said in a statement. “The test was administered on Sunday, and the player returned to self-quarantine following the positive results. We can also report that within the past 48 hours his symptoms have dissipated. We will continue to follow all protocols and recommendations established by local and federal public health experts and Major League Baseball.”
The organization quarantined its minor leaguers on Friday, following the direction of the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County.
Following the first positive test, the Yankees said Larrondo — who at that point had not been identified as the one who tested positive — had not been in contact with anyone who would have been at the Yankees’ major league complex or George M. Steinbrenner Field, which are roughly a mile away from the minor league complex.
The minor league complex was cleaned on Sunday and has been shut down until March 25. Players went to the minor league facility to pick up prepared food on Monday. It was unclear as of Tuesday afternoon if the minor league facility was going to undergo another deep cleaning.
“You feel for him and his teammates and the organization,’’ Yankees left-hander J.A. Happ said of the second case as he drove away from Steinbrenner Field. “You hope that can be an isolated thing. From what I’ve heard, he hasn’t been on [the major league] side at all, so that means there’s a chance it won’t spread here.’’
General manager Brian Cashman declined to discuss the second positive test when he spoke on Tuesday, but said he would remain in Tampa until the Yankees’ coronavirus situation is taken care of.
On Sunday, the GM said there was no other COVID-19 testing at the time, but anticipated that might change.
“Just like anybody, is that likely to stick?” Cashman asked of not having to test any other players. “I would say no, it’s not likely to stick.”
He also said Monday the minor league facility was closed over the weekend in an abundance of caution, but added security remained in place, as well as for other “essential duties.”