The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Friday that they have not had any positive cases of covid-19 involving any employees, including players, at their spring training and minor league facility in Florida.
The Pirates released the statement in response to the Philadelphia Phillies confirming eight positive cases of the coronavirus, including five players, in Clearwater. The Phillies are awaiting test results from 20 players and 12 staff members.
The Pirates said in the statement they had ceased baseball operations at LECOM Park and have had very limited operations at Pirate City, with “less than a handful” of major league players using the facilities. That includes pitcher Jameson Taillon, who is rehabilitating there while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
In addition, the Pirates said 10 minor league players are living at Pirate City because they are unable to return home because of travel restrictions and have not left the campus since mid-March.
“All follow appropriate entry protocols and social distancing guidelines, and the facilities are cleaned multiple times throughout the day,” the statement said.
