ARLINGTON, Texas (AFP) – Texas Rangers assistant Dennis Santana has been placed on the COVID-19 list after arriving at the stadium with symptoms before Thursday’s game and being tested to determine if he tested positive.
General Manager Chris Young said the team has been consulting with the Major League Baseball office on protocols and working to determine if contact tracing is necessary. Young, who did not know the test result when he spoke to the press before the game against the Los Angeles Angels, did not say what the symptoms of the Dominicans were.
“We are in contact with the league and we will follow (protocols). It has changed a bit from last year,” Young explained. “But we will follow MLB guidelines on this and do whatever is required to make sure everyone is protected.”
The situation happened four days after Santana and the Rangers returned from the first series of the season in Toronto. All players must be vaccinated to travel to Canada. In addition, all players underwent a test upon their return to the United States and were all negative.
Young said Santana was fine on Tuesday in the Rangers final. On Wednesday, they had a day off.
“We want to be proactive and make sure we’re doing everything we can,” Young said. “But we just found out about this and…we’re taking the necessary steps to make sure we’re protecting everyone, whether it’s COVID or not.”
Going on the COVID list, Santana will be out for at least five days. To return, you must be symptom-free for at least two days.
Rangers called in right-hander Nick Snyder of Triple-A Round Rock to replace Santana in the lineup.
Texas also activated right-hand Garrett Richards from the 10-day handicap Thursday after the reliever started the season inactive with a blister on his right middle finger.
Right-handed Spencer Howard, who was due to start on Friday, also entered the disabled list with a broken nail that caused a blister. The decision is retroactive from Monday.
John Gray, the starter for the opening game, was also on the handicap list with another blister appearing. Right eligible for activity from Tuesday.
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