Cederlind, Brito test positive for COVID-19

Pirates manager Derek Shelton disclosed Sunday that outfielder Socrates Brito and right-handed pitcher Blake Cederlind both tested positive for COVID-19.

They will be isolated and the team will conduct contact tracing.

Both players consented to have their positive tests shared with the media. MLB teams will not share the results of any tests unless the person consents.

"I think [it's] very much appreciated," Shelton said over a Zoom call, referring to the two players sharing their results. "Very much respect the other people that we have that don't feel that it's necessary to talk about [it], but I think it is to continue [to talk about it] as we move forward. For people to realize that it is real in the game."

Shelton could not share if they were symptomatic.

"We continue to talk to guys about how they're doing and what they're doing and from there on out just follow the MLB protocol," Shelton said.

These are the first known positive tests for any Pirates players or coaches. Earlier this week, it became known that one of the organization's scouts in Venezuela was hospitalized with the virus and that the club was getting him support.

All players must pass a COVID-19 test and quarantine until they get their results before they can enter the Pirates facilities or be a part of summer camp at PNC Park. Both players will need to pass two consecutive tests before they are allowed to return.

That is part of Major League Baseball's health and safety protocols for the 2020 season. Players are also wearing masks and are not allowed to spit, lick fingers or make contact with other people.

"I think the anxiety and awareness is real for everybody," Shelton said. "But I feel comfortable with the testing protocol we put in place and what Major League Baseball has put in place that our guys are going to be in a good spot.

"The one thing we’re encouraging all of our guys is, if they do feel a situation where they have some anxiety or lack of awareness that it’s our job to continue to educate them and talk to them about it. It’s something that we’re extremely mindful of every day."

On Saturday, Shelton said the Pirates, "organizationally," had people test positive for the virus. Everyone the Pirates expected to come to summer camp has been tested, though there are still people waiting for results.

On July 3, MLB and the players association announced the results of the first wave of COVID-19 testing, revealing that 38 of the 3,185 people tested were positive across 19 different teams. That is 1.2%, far lower than the national rate.

There have been positive tests popping up across baseball, starting in late June in the Phillies and Blue Jays spring training facilities in Florida and extending to nearly two-thirds of the league's teams.. Some of the notable players to test positive include Freddie Freeman and Charlie Blackmon.

Some players across the league are opting out of the season, including David Price of the Dodgers and Ryan Zimmerman of the Nationals, believing the risk is too high for them to play this year. The Pirates have not had any players opt out of this season.

Cederlind, 24, is a right-handed reliever who was looking to make his Major-League debut this season. He was added to the 40-man roster this winter and made a good first impression during spring training, striking out nine of his 17 batters faced.

Brito, 27, was signed this offseason via a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. He looked to be in the discussion to potentially be an extra outfielder once spring began, but his chances of making the team greatly decreased once the club signed Jarrod Dyson shortly into camp.

They were two of the 40 players in Pirates summer camp. The Pirates will also have an alternate training site in Altoona, Pa. throughout the season, which both players would go to if they do not make the opening day roster.

Their season outlook will depend on how soon they have two negative tests and they can return.

"It's probably something that will work out individually with where each guy was at and then moving forward with what not only our plan was for them in this camp but also what our plan for them was for the season."