Inside The Pinstripes

Aaron Judge Among Six Yankees to Test Positive For COVID-19

New York Yankees All-Star Aaron Judge, catcher Kyle Higashioka and infielder Gio Urshela have tested positive for COVID-19 as the Yankees COVID outbreak grows

Max Goodman

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK — The Yankees' latest COVID-19 outbreak now includes six positive cases.

All-Star right fielder Aaron Judge, catcher Kyle Higashioka and infielder Gio Urshela have confirmed cases of COVID-19 after their tests were pending on Thursday, the team announced Friday afternoon.

Those three position players will now join pitchers Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortes and Wandy Peralta on the COVID-19 injured list. 

Each of their clocks on the IL will be different—and there's always the possibility of a false positive shortening their duration on the sidelines—but all six will "probably" be out for 10-plus days until they're cleared to return, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. Loaisiga is the closest to rejoining the team after he was placed on the COVID list last week.

That in mind, New York was forced to make several roster moves on Friday to fill their active roster. Outfielder Trey Amburgey was called up on Thursday, set to make his MLB debut, while infielder Hoy Jun Park, first baseman Chris Gittens, outfielder Greg Allen and catcher Rob Brantly were all added to the active roster on Friday as well.

Thursday's series opener against the visiting Boston Red Sox was postponed as New York's outbreak began to develop in the late afternoon. Friday evening's game is scheduled to take place, per a release from Major League Baseball.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone clarified Friday afternoon that the Yankees have no additional positive cases since Thursday's testing took place. As we've seen in the past with this pandemic, however, all of that information is subject to change at any moment. 

While the three pitchers to test positive for COVID are confirmed breakthrough cases, at least one player among the latest trio to have a case of the virus has not been vaccinated, a team spokesperson said. That confirms previous reports that not all positive tests are breakthrough cases.

Boone added that some of the players to test positive have exhibited symptoms of the virus, but nothing too serious. 

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Yankees for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. Goodman has been on the Yankees beat for three seasons. He is also the publisher of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Jets site, Jets Country. Before starting Inside The Pinstripes, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. At school, Goodman was an anchor and reporter with NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. While at Northwestern, Goodman interned with MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman. You can connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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