Inside The Pinstripes

Yankees-Red Sox Game Will be Played Friday Night Despite New York's COVID-19 Outbreak

The New York Yankees game vs. the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium will be played on Friday night per Major League Baseball amid the Yankees COVID-19 outbreak

Max Goodman

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

NEW YORK — There will be baseball in the Bronx on Friday night.

After Thursday night's series opener between the Yankees and Red Sox was postponed, as New York handles an internal outbreak of COVID-19, Major League Baseball confirmed Friday evening's game will proceed as scheduled. 

Six Yankees players have tested positive for COVID-19, including All-Star Aaron Judge, starting third baseman Gio Urshela and reliever Jonathan Loaisiga. MLB assured that testing and contact tracing was conducted on Friday in their announcement that the game was not postponed. 

MLB also revealed that Thursday's game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, August 17th. 

With Friday's game proceeding as scheduled, it looks like New York has halted any further spread of their outbreak. That said, it's possible the situation can worsen at any moment.

Along with Judge, Urshela and Loaisiga, catcher Kyle Higashioka as well as pitchers Nestor Cortes and Wandy Peralta have confirmed cases. All six players are expected to land on the COVID-19 injured list (the three pitchers are already on that list), meaning the Yankees will need to make some roster moves to fill roster spots.

Manager Aaron Boone revealed that the Yankees' starting lineup includes Trey Amburgey—who was called up on Thursday—along with first baseman Chris Gittens (replacing slugger Luke Voit as he heads to the injured list with a knee injury).

Infielder Hoy Jun Park, catcher Rob Brantly and outfielder Greg Allen will all be on the Yankees' bench Friday night, called up from Triple-A, per Boone.

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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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