Thirty-one players tested positive for the Coronavirus yesterday, from nineteen different teams. Another seven coaches or front office personnel.

That may sound alarming, and it is certainly cause for concern, but when you look at the overall numbers, it’s not that bad. Yet. 

That’s the problem with this thing. It’s real. And it’s relentless. And if you let your guard down for a minute, it attacks.

But the percentages, at least for now, are low and manageable. Much lower than when the NBA tested its players.

Each team has a sixty-man roster. With thirty teams, that means there are 1,800 players, give or take a few, reporting to summer camps. So, that’s 0.02 percent of MLB population which has tested positive.

Pulling off this sixty-game sprint is going to take rabbit’s feet, four-leaf clovers, unicorn tears, and every good luck charm imaginable, combined.

Pandemics don’t have rain delays.

But at least this first round of testing proves so far the situation is manageable. The players who tested positive will now have to test negative twice before they can be allowed back with their teams.

But the biggest news of the day is that Mike Trout, the best player of this generation, is uncertain whether he will play this year. He has a pregnant wife at home and doesn’t want to risk her, or their soon-to-be baby, getting the virus.

The Rangers Brett Martin tested positive. He has diabetes, which complicates things more. Although, it was reported his symptoms are, thankfully, mild.

Everything is up in the air right now. Trying to get the season in might be wishful thinking. This thing could start and then be shut down within weeks. It is worth pointing out, though, that players are going to be tested so thoroughly and often that the environment is as safe as it can be. Much safer for them then when they were at home not being tested every day.

So, for now, baseballs are popping in mitts and balls are jumping off bats. And that might be the only way possible to cope with the depth of the sadness going on out there.

Play ball. Please, play ball. 

*****

Happy Fourth of July to everyone in RR3 Land. Stay safe.