The Cincinnati Reds have made a set of roster moves today. The team announced earlier this afternoon that catcher Tucker Barnhart has been activated from the paternity list and that right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson was placed in the injured list with a back injury.
Barnhart and his wife welcomed a new addition to their family over the weekend and everyone is healthy and happy. And now he’s back in uniform for the Reds and ready to catch baseballs and throw out baserunners (and maybe hit some dingers, too).
Robert Stephenson hasn’t exactly had the healthiest summer, though it could be worse (see Marlins, Miami). During Summer Camp he was dealing with a little bit of a wrist issue that kept him off of the mound for a short period of time. And now today he’s been placed on the 10-day injured list with a back injury. The right-handed reliever pitched on Saturday against Detroit, giving up two runs while only recording one out in his appearance. He did not pitch on Sunday or on Monday.
As of now, there is no word on either Mike Moustakas, who is on the injured list, or Nick Senzel, who is currently not on the injured list. Both players have been away from the team since Sunday when they both reported feeling sick. This came a day after Matt Davidson got his results back that he had tested positive for COVID-19. All that we know is that neither player has tested positive to this point. We only know that because Major League Baseball released their report this afternoon stating that the only positive tests since Friday, out of over 6400, came from the Miami Marlins. It’s important to note, though, that we do not know how many players or personnel are still awaiting results from tests that took place in that time frame. Getting results over the weekend has been a challenge for Major League Baseball.
I’m sure having Tucker back and the positivity and happiness he is surely to be brimming with will he welcome. Not that the team is beating themselves up, but the familiar face and that infectious mood could sure be a nice boost.
If Tyler Stephenson has it, then the whole team would be infected, but it is easy to understand his joy after hitting a HR in his first big league AB.
These young men get caught up in the moment at times and easily revert to things they’ve done their whole life.
On a more concerning note, the Marlins cancel next 6 games. The end is nigh.
Also, if Thom says he took a pitch right down the middle, one more time…..
While I’m sure teams are doing their own testing when individuals come up with symptoms or contact with someone who has been sick, those tests don’t matter as far as MLB is concerned. Obviously if it comes back positive, that’s a problem. But if they come back negative, MLB isn’t concerned with those tests, see Juan Soto’s situation with the Nationals.
why does my email show up instead of the user name I selected?
Can’t tell ya. All I can guess is you chose something incorrectly (it wasn’t your email address – just the username for the company of said email address – no one could actually see your email address but me). I fixed it for you on that comment, though.
There is no “time limit” on how long one has to be on the COVID-19 injured list – which Moustakas is on, but Senzel is not.
We do not know if Moustakas tested positive or not – you do not need to test positive to be placed on that list.
So in theory, both could be playing tonight as long as neither actually has a positive test. Once you do have a positive test, you just need to test negative, twice, more than 24 hours apart, via MLB testing.
Juan Soto’s issue seems to be that the MLB testing it taking a long time to get his results back. He’s been taking his own tests and getting negative results, and he’s upset that he can’t come back yet.
There is no rule about how long players with symptoms have to be out unless they have a positive test.
As far as MLB is concerned, the tests the Phillies got only matter if they produce a positive test. If Juan Soto, for example got his tests at Rutgers and he got 2 back that were negative, it would not matter and he still would not be allowed to play. He, and everyone else, must get 2 negative test results back from the MLB tests.
Right now, neither Senzel or Moustakas have a positive test. Therefore they do not need to get multiple negative tests 24 hours apart to return. CDC guidelines are just that – guidelines – as far as MLB is concerned.