Texas Rangers relief pitcher tests positive for COVID-19 in screening before summer camp
The Texas Rangers said Friday that pitcher Brett Martin has tested positive for COVID-19, marking the first time the club has identified a player with the illness.
Martin gave the Rangers permission to reveal that he had tested positive. General manager Jon Daniels said players have the right not to disclose a positive test.
Daniels said Martin, a left-handed reliever, is dealing with mild symptoms of the disease, namely fatigue and congestion, but is on the mend. Martin is considered high-risk because he has Type 1 diabetes.
The illness was caught before the Rangers held their first workout of summer camp Friday at Globe Life Field.
For Martin to begin working out with the team, he must receive two negative tests more than 24 hours apart and be declared no longer a threat to other players by a physician.
“Brett tested positive during the intake process,” Daniels said. “We’ve been in touch with him regularly. He’s here in Dallas. He’s here with his wife. He has some mild symptoms but is feeling better the last couple days.”
Rangers television field reporter Emily Jones said on Twitter that her family is dealing with COVID-19. Daniels said other players tested positive during the shutdown after the coronavirus pandemic postponed the 2020 season, but did not specify whether they were major-leaguers or in the minors.
COVID-19 was a central topic during a team meeting Thursday night via Zoom. Players were urged to adhere to the safety protocols outlined in the MLB operations manual.
“You can tell our guys are taking it very, very seriously,” Daniels said. “We’re confident we’re as prepared as can be and we’ll be as safe as you can be in this situation.”
This story was originally published July 3, 2020 at 1:17 PM.
