Nick Burdi says he never reached a point where he was thinking of sitting out the 2020 season, even though he is living with a high-risk person.
In early June, Burdi and his wife, Rebecca, went to social media to announce her pregnancy. Under Major League Baseball's health and safety protocols, while all players have the option to opt-out of the 2020 season, Burdi could potentially still qualify for a salary and service time if he did so because of Rebecca's pregnancy.
While things have run pretty smoothly in the Pirates' Pittsburgh camp, there have been problems across the league in getting test results in a timely matter. That has resulted in some teams, like the Nationals and Astros, cancelling workout recently because they do not know if it is safe.
In the Pirates' case, their alternate training site in Altoona, Pa. was only able to get started on Tuesday after a delay in getting results.
That is concerning for the Pirates' 27-year-old right-hander.
"I think the Pirates have done a really good job here with the testing, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer everywhere," Burdi said in a Zoom call Wednesday. "I think the medical staff needs to be applauded for that.
"At the same time, with that being said, I think MLB and the testing needs to get better so that we don’t run into a roadblock in a few weeks and we can get a season going."
Jameson Taillon, the Pirates' player association representative, agreed.
"I think there were some kinks to be worked out with the testing," Taillon said in a Zoom call Wednesday. "Obviously, getting the results back as quickly as possible can help eliminate the spread. If we get tested on a Monday and a guy were to be positive and wouldn't find out until Wednesday, having those 48 hours to come in and spread it without knowing, that's dangerous. But we haven't had any problems."
MLB has acknowledged that they had some "unforeseen delays" in testing.
The Pirates were most recently tested Tuesday. Before that, it was Sunday, so they are following the every-other-day model the league's protocols call for. There are also other safety measures in place, like wearing masks, limiting the number of people on the field and making sure there is no physical contact between players.
So far, two Pirates players in the Pirates' MLB camp, right-hander Blake Cederlind and outfielder Socrates Brito, have tested positive for COVID-19. Both are in isolation and have not entered any Pirates facilities.
Burdi said Rebecca is back at home for at least the next few weeks as they see how if the league's results turnaround improves and what percentage of players contract the virus.
"When we feel it’s kind of safe enough, [we'll] have her come to Pittsburgh," Burdi said.
Other news, notes, sounds and sights from Day 6 of Pirates summer camp Wednesday:
• Here are some sounds for sore ears:
• Jose Osuna worked out for the second time Wednesday. Derek Shelton had said that the Pirates were still waiting on the results for some tests this week. Osuna took it Friday and didn't get results until Tuesday morning. It is supposed to be a 72-hour turnaround.
• Colin Moran looked good getting ground balls to his left during infield drills. He had a hard time making plays in that direction last year, and while infield drills are not as strenuous as game situations, but he looked comfortable making that throw to second.
• Speaking of making that throw to second, here's a look at Josh Bell's new submarine motion:
Bell’s final rep turning a 3-6-3 double-play today. Throw was a bit off, but you can see the new motion. #DKPS #Pirates pic.twitter.com/Q1HPwi2d3K
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) July 8, 2020
• Taillon reached another benchmark in his rehab Tuesday, moving the catcher back further for his bullpen session. It was also his fifth time throwing off a mound.
"Every little steppingstone is kind of a big jump for me right now," Taillon said. "Moving the catcher back a few feet doesn’t sound like much, but it’s exciting. It was 20 pitches. Again, that doesn’t sound crazy, but I was pretty tired afterwards.
"The ball was coming out really, really well. Mechanics are feeling really strong. Waking up the next day and the elbow is feeling great, which is the most important thing."
• Steven Brault and Chris Stratton threw the sim games in the early workout media was allowed to attend, and Joe Musgrove and Chad Kuhl pitched in the later workout. Brault was drilled in the posterior by a line drive during his session, and while he needed a minute to walk it off, he was able to finish his session.
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