Kevin Plawecki, Two Red Sox Staffers Test Positive For COVID
BOSTON (CBS) -- Last year, the Red Sox dealt with a COVID outbreak that nearly derailed their season. This year, it took all of 10 days for a COVID problem to spring up once again.
ESPN's Joon Lee reported Monday that catcher Kevin Plawecki and two Red Sox staffers tested positive for COVID-19.
Red Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki - who is vaccinated - and two team staff members tested positive for COVID
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) April 18, 2022
The Red Sox later confirmed Plawecki's positive test, noting that Connor Wong has been called upon to replace the catcher on the roster.
The #RedSox today placed C Kevin Plawecki on the COVID-19 Related Injured list.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 18, 2022
To fill Plawecki's spot on the active roster, the club recalled C Connor Wong from Triple-A Worcester.
The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham first made note of a potential COVID issue on Monday morning when he noticed certain Red Sox players and staffers wearing masks.
#RedSox may have a Covid issue. Team staffers now wearing masks who weren't mandated to before, as are a few players. Stay tuned.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) April 18, 2022
MassLive's Chris Cotillo then reported that Kevin Plawecki left Fenway Park, a little more than an hour before first pitch of the Monday morning matinee game vs. the Twins.
Kevin Plawecki left Fenway Park in street clothes.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 18, 2022
Plawecki, 31, has played in four of the Red Sox' nine games this season, going 1-for-10 at the plate while working 28 innings behind the dish. Updated MLB protocols this year only require testing for players that show signs or symptoms of being sick. Players who test positive generally have to miss 10 days but can return earlier if they stop exhibiting symptoms and take two negative tests.