McAdam: Just four days in, the 2020 MLB season seems to be teetering

The first weekend of the Red Sox' season seemed like a cruel joke, with consecutive abysmal pitching performances from starting pitchers and lots of punchlines about the entire pitching staff secretly opting out of the season but failing to notify anyone.

On Monday morning, however, the lack of starting pitching -- or anything else related to on-field action -- seemed like an irrelevant concern. More than a dozen members of the Miami Marlins had tested positive for COVID-19, sending that franchise reeling, wiping out the team's home opener Monday against Baltimore.

Not long after, MLB also postponed the Phillies-Yankees game in Philadelphia, since no one thought it was a good idea for the Yankees to utilize the same clubhouse which had housed the Marlins just 24 hours earlier.

A noon conference call between commissioner Rob Manfred and the 30 MLB control persons for every franchise led to predictions about additional postponements, a temporary league-wide pause in play, or the outright cancellation of the remainder of the 60-game season.

Nothing came of any of that speculation. But the sport was shaken by the developments, bringing about a heightened awareness of the risks for all involved. There was anger that MLB didn't step in Sunday when the Marlins seemed to develop into a contagion all their own, concern about teams traveling and the efficacy of MLB's testing program.

Mostly, there was uncertainty. And that was felt at Fenway, where a morning phone conversation between Ron Roenicke and Chaim Bloom evolved into a Zoom meeting with the entire team, with team medical director Dr. Larry Ronan and head athletic trainer Brad Pearson invited to offer perspective and answer questions.

"We just went over the points again about trying to follow the protocols to make sure (what happened to the Marlins) didn't happen to our team,'' explained Roenicke. "We've been really good so far. I love what we've done here. But we are going on the road. We need to be careful with what we do.''

After operating out of Fenway for the last month, the Red Sox are about to leave their home base following Tuesday's game, heading for a five-day stay in New York, followed by a trek to Tampa Bay, a COVID-19 hotspot. For the first time, the Red Sox will be traveling by bus, and staying in hotels. They're about to be introduced into an unknown environment.

In that sense, the Marlins' outbreak provided a teachable moment.



"I'm hopeful that it scares them a bit,'' Roenicke said, "into, 'Hey, I know we've been good at this, but we can be better.' We can stop fist-bumping, we can stop doing the things that the protocols are trying to get us not to do. I realize the emotions that come into play, when you score a run, hit a home run or get a big strikeout. I understand all those things.

But we have to keep reminding guys of trying to stay with the things that our medical department will keep us safe. Hopefully, that continues and we're able to go on the road and do the right things.''

Roenicke said the Sox have advised players to remain in the team hotel as much as possible. The club will provide food and offer rooms there where the training staff can provide daily treatment. The last thing they want is for players to wander out to restaurants and bars.

"We're making them more aware of what places are more at risk than others,'' he said. "We're going to do this in every city we go to. Again, it's the awareness. But I also don't want to make them fearful about going on the road or fearful about playing and continuing on with this. Because I think we are doing a lot of good things.''

The last thing Roenicke wants is to turn into a camp counselor, checking to make sure that no one's slipping out at night. Yes, they're grown men, but they're also largely young men in their 20s.

"I know when you're young, it's difficult to be locked in your hotel room and doing nothing,'' Roenicke said. "But also (they need to) realize that we've got 60 games and we've got to try to do everything we can to stay healthy and eventually win as many games as we can.''

To a man, Red Sox players have praised management for constructing a safe environment for them, with luxury suites serving as mini-clubhouses, staggered times for batting cage and weight room work, and explicit instructions of where they should -- and shouldn't -- be in relation to teammates.

But it's also recognized that, in the big picture, may not be enough.

"The thing is about getting this, you can do exactly all the right things and still can (contract the virus),'' Roenicke said. "The more we can do the right things, the less, obviously, the chances are of (getting it).''

It has to occur to Roenicke that the spate of infections, coupled with the wariness of some players to begin with, could result in some of his players determining that the risks don't outweigh the rewards and opt out for the season.

"It's certainly possible,'' acknowledged Roenicke. "There's no question. I haven't heard that so far, but I know that that's a possibility. I know guys have had questions marks before this all started, they're watching really closely as to what goes on and there is that possibility.''

And suddenly, the state of the rotation didn't seem like the most pressing issue of the day.