Even as several more major-league players chose to leave their teams in recent days over the uncertainty surrounding multiple team outbreaks of the coronavirus, none of the Cubs have expressed any intent to opt out, general manager Jed Hoyer said Saturday.
At least 21 members of the Marlins - 18 players - have tested positive for the coronavirus in the last week. Three Cardinals players tested positive in recent days, in addition to multiple staff members.
Miami and the Phillies, their last opponent, haven't played in a week. The Cardinals' series against the Brewers this weekend was postponed due to St. Louis' positive tests. Around the time of that announcement, the Brewers revealed center fielder Lorenzo Cain has declined to play the rest of the season.
Marlins second baseman Isan Díaz announced his decision to not play on Friday.
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Hoyer acknowledged the Cubs' fortunes in handling the virus may be linked to how their players currently feel. No Cubs players have tested positive for the coronavirus since testing began prior to summer training camp.
"I think that we're all part of one larger MLB family, so to speak, but as this group with the Cubs, we've had a really positive situation," Hoyer said. "No, we haven't had anyone in here that's expressed concern, but I do think part of that is what they're experiencing on a day to day basis has been positive.
"The Cardinals have an outbreak and now it's affecting the Brewers. It could potentially affect the Tigers coming up this week. Who knows from there who else it can impact?"
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How Cubs players feel going forward is a fluid situation, as such is life in this COVID-19 baseball season. But if the time comes where any Cub decides not to play the rest of the season, they'll have the team's support.
"I support anything that any of these guys do, whether they show up and play or they opt to be at home," Cubs pitcher Jon Lester said Saturday following the Cain announcement. "It's a crazy time that we're in, and you can't second-guess anybody that wants to make a decision like that."
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Why no Cubs have expressed intent to opt out amid MLB COVID-19 outbreaks originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
