The weekend series between the Red Sox and Yankees in New York was shortened by at least one day when Thursday's series opener was postponed because of multiple positive COVID-19 test results within the Yankees organization.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed to reporters that pitchers Nestor Cortes Jr., Jonathan Loaisiga and Wandy Peralta tested positive and said three other players' test results were "pending." The Yankees placed Cortes and Peralta on the COVID-19 injured list earlier Thursday. ESPN's Buster Olney reported that right fielder Aaron Judge, catcher Kyle Higashioka and third baseman Gio Urshela are in MLB's COVID-19 protocol.
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Red Sox All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers lent credence to the Judge part of Olney's report when he told ESPN's Marly Rivera that one of the Yankees' representatives at Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game tested positive. Judge started in right field for the American League. Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole and closer Aroldis Chapman were the Yankees' other All-Stars.
Devers and Boston's four other All-Stars — shortstop Xander Bogaerts, DH/outfielder J.D. Martinez and pitchers Matt Barnes and Nathan Eovaldi — will undergo contact tracing.
Why was Red Sox vs. Yankees postponed?
Thursday's game between the Red Sox and Yankees was postponed because of multiple positive COVID-19 test results within the Yankees organization. This was the first COVID-related postponement in MLB since April 19 (Twins-A's).
Which Yankees players tested positive for COVID-19?
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told reporters that pitchers Nestor Cortes Jr., Jonathan Loaisiga and Wandy Peralta tested positive and that three other players' test results were "pending." ESPN's Buster Olney reported that right fielder Aaron Judge, catcher Kyle Higashioka and third baseman Gio Urshela had entered MLB's COVID-19 protocol. Neither MLB nor the Yankees had confirmed Olney's report as of Thursday evening.
What is the Yankees' vaccination status?
More than 85 percent of Yankees Tier 1 personnel were vaccinated by late April, according to reports. Reaching that percentage allowed for a relaxation of MLB's COVID-19 protocols, such as not having to wear masks in the dugout.
Cashman said Cortes, Loaisiga and Peralta were vaccinated and that "some" of the three players with pending test results had received vaccines.
Brian Cashman: We're taking every step necessary to walk through this. pic.twitter.com/e0AQqpVZdg
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 15, 2021
When will the Red Sox-Yankees series start?
MLB has not yet said when the series will begin. The teams are scheduled to play Friday through Sunday.
