SAN FRANCISCO — More Giants players are expected to land on the COVID-19 injured list as a wave of cases sweeps through the clubhouse.
An outbreak that began last week with Mike Yastrzemski testing positive has grown to include at least two more players and one staff member after the latest round of results Friday, with another player also showing symptoms and set to undergo testing.
The outbreak has strained the roster, with the Giants carrying a taxi squad of players this week in case of more positive tests, and moved the organization to take measures to contain the spread, including limiting clubhouse access to "essential employees" only.
President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi sent out an all-staff email informing employees of the new restrictions and reminding them to mask up and report symptoms, as required under MLB rules whenever a club reports three or more cases.
"We have concerns about the levels of contagiousness in our clubhouse given the string of recent positives," Zaidi said in a Zoom call Friday afternoon, during which he informed reporters of the decision to close the clubhouse to media, a violation of the collective bargaining agreement that grants access. "We are taking measures to try to mitigate the risk of further spread, both internally and externally."
The identities of the players to test positive or show symptoms Friday have not yet been revealed, but the club is expected to announce at least one more player headed to the COVID IL, joining Yastrzemski and reliever Zack Littell.
Yastrzemski, who tested positive this past Sunday, is still quarantining in Washington, D.C., and experiencing mild symptoms, while Littell was added to the COVID IL on Tuesday. Both players are vaccinated and boosted, according to the club.
Additionally, one member of the training staff tested positive on Friday, Zaidi said.
Between the losses of Yastrzemski, Steven Duggar (left oblique strain) and Joc Pederson (groin strain), the Giants are down the entirety of their Opening Day outfield. Amid the new concerns Friday over COVID, the Giants did receive some good news: an MRI revealed Pederson's groin strain as a Grade 1, or the mildest variety.
Zaidi said he considered Pederson "day-to-day" and wasn't sure if he would require an IL stint.
Check back for updates.
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