MLB postpones 2 Monday games following player coronavirus outbreak

• Major League Baseball said Monday's Miami Marlins-Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies-New York Yankees games have been postponed.
• The games were postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak among the Marlins.
• The league said it tested the Marlins and Phillies on Monday with rapid saliva testing and will await the results before determining the status of Tuesday games between the Phillies and Yankees.

The Miami Marlins stand in the dugout during the seventh inning of an exhibition game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 21, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Kevin C. Cox | Getty Images

Major League Baseball has postponed two games on its Monday schedule due to Covid-19 related issues, the league announced.

The contest between the Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles in addition to the Philadelphia Phillies' game against the New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park are postponed after a coronavirus outbreak among the Marlins. MLB said it would "conduct additional COVID-19 testing" and "members of the Marlins' traveling party are self-quarantining," the league said.

"Major League Baseball has been coordinating with the Major League Baseball Players Association; the Marlins; the Orioles; the Marlins' weekend opponent, the Phillies; and Club medical staffs, and will continue to provide updates as appropriate," the league said in a statement.

The league said it tested both the Marlins and Phillies on Monday morning with rapid saliva testing and is "awaiting the outcome of those results." MLB will await today's results before determining the status of Tuesday games between the Phillies and Yankees.

Chairman Bruce Sherman and CEO Derek Jeter of the Miami Marlins wear masks while attending the intrasquad game at Marlins Park on July 17, 2020 in Miami, Florida.

Mark Brown | Getty Images

In a statement, Marlins CEO and former Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter called the MLB's move to postpone the game the "correct decision."

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The Marlins were scheduled to host the Orioles after playing the Phillies in a three-game set to open the 2020 season. Though the postponement occurred just days into the season, MLB officials have prepared for possible outbreaks across teams. This comes as no surprise as Covid-19 cases continue to increase throughout the country.

On Friday, the MLB said it tested 28,888 samples and returned 29 total positive tests as of July 24. Overall, MLB said 99 samples throughout 28 clubs have returned positive for Covid-19.

The remaining 10 games on Monday's MLB schedule are expected to be played as planned. MLB started its 60-game season last Thursday with more than 4 million viewers tuning into the Yankees-Washington Nationals opener, according to ESPN.

CLARIFICATION: This headline has been updated to clarify that MLB postponed the two Monday games.