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Major League Baseball hopes it will take more than one outbreak to end the season. As the Marlins are quarantining and navigating their way through at least 15 positive COVID-19 tests from players, the Giants do not want to be responsible for a second.
Through the opening series of the season, a four-game trip to Los Angeles, the Giants were predominantly socially distant on the field and wore masks at least in the dugout. Yet, there were times, especially after runs scored, where high-fives were exchanged, fist-bumps were had, ill-advised contact took place.
“I think it’s something that we have to continue to discuss,” Gabe Kapler said on a Zoom call Tuesday before the Giants’ home opener against the Padres. “One of the procedures that we put in places is we know that every once in a while, emotion is going to take over and you’re going to see people bump knuckles, by way of example. And when that happens, we ask that our players immediately move to a hand-sanitizing station and take that precaution.
“… We’re going to continue to work to get better. And what happened in Miami, it gives us a good opportunity to continue to talk about it and continue to tighten up our protocols.”
From the few Giants who spoke publicly before the matchup, it does not sound as if there is much concern the Marlins, whose season has been postponed through Sunday, will lead to more opt-outs on the team. Buster Posey is not playing to care for his newly adopted twins. Drew Smyly said they all understand the risks of playing through a pandemic, and he has no further reservations, nor does anyone he’s talked with.
Smyly praised the Giants’ staff that has made cleaning everything and socially distancing a way of life. Still, Kapler was contemplating using the Marlins’ situation as a teaching point.
In the clubhouse, the manager may “just reinforce the strong belief that our medical staff has led us well so far,” Kapler said. “We’ve had strong leadership in that regard. And I think we’ve done a really nice job of following health and safety protocols, but there’s no question that this adds kind of an additional layer of sensitivity and gives us an opportunity to keep talking about it.”
Marlins CEO Derek Jeter announced the team would be moving to daily testing for the coronavirus, up from the every-other-day system the Giants and every other MLB team abide by. Kapler said the organization will probably discuss that change, too.
The manager was pleased with how their first road trip went — beyond splitting with the Dodgers — and called the testing “very well organized.” He said the team got together at a courtyard outside the team hotel where they could talk baseball and bond outdoors, with masks, while keeping their distance. He anticipates keeping this exercise going on the road, provided wherever they’re staying has the means.
Kapler acknowledged, though, they could do a better job of distancing. For Smyly, who admittedly has not been around the dugout much during games, it’s hard to envision how.
“I don’t really know how we could be much more careful to be honest with you,” the 31-year-old said. “I think in the moment of a game, it’s hard to hold back some of that adrenaline and excitement when your teammates do good. But inside the locker room, in the weight room, literally everything we do is different from years past. Every player that I’ve seen has bought into it.”
They will need to continue buying in if they want their season to continue. Of course, if other teams get sick or the Marlins’ situation is even further exacerbated, it might not be up to them.
“I think it’s just a constant reminder that you can’t let your guard down,” Smyly said. “Every player, coach and employee that’s here to help this train run throughout this season has to be responsible and make sure they try not to get sick.”
