Saturday was a mix of good news and bad news for the Phillies. The team, shut down since Sunday's game after a visit from the COVID-infected Miami Marlins, finally got the all-clear to return to the field to practice. However, that news was quickly followed by bad news. Then good news.
The Phillies announced that the players would return to staggered workouts:
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) August 1, 2020
So for a while things looked good. However, that quickly changed.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post initially reported that the Phillies and Yankees, believed to be playing on Monday in New York, would not play after all:
#Phillies game at the #Yankees on Monday has been postponed — Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 1, 2020
This news came as the baseball world learned of additional positive tests in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, causing the league to postpone Saturday's scheduled doubleheader between the Caridnals and Milwaukee Brewers.
Then came another report from Sherman of a reversal:
Heard there was a reversal and #Phillies at #Yankees is back on for Monday
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 1, 2020
The series against the Yankees has never been formally announced.
The Phillies were due to play the Marlins in Miami on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. Instead, the Phillies appear to be set to make up their series against the New York Yankees, with two games in Philadelphia and two games in New York. The Yankees were due to play the Baltimore Orioles, but played the Orioles this past week when they were scheduled to play the Miami Marlins.
Follow all that?
There has been growing concern in recent days that the MLB season is in doubt, with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred issuing a warning to the MLB Players Association. Without players taking careful precautions, it will be difficult to move forward. The growing concern in St. Louis may determine the future of the league.
