Kris Bryant wants MLB players to take responsibility for COVID-19 protocols

Kris Bryant wants MLB players to step to the plate to take on COVID-19

With several MLB teams facing coronavirus outbreaks, something has to give, or else the season is at risk. Rob Manfred has said as much on conference calls with Tony Clark and the MLBPA, and the actions of the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals haven’t helped matters.

All it takes is one player, or staff member, to infect an entire team. The Marlins reportedly went out to a club in Atlanta, while the Cardinals visited a casino. Such actions are a clear violation of MLB protocol, and even if we can’t prove that they directly led to the spread of the disease within the locker room, it doesn’t necessarily inspire confidence in either team, or the league, moving forward.

If the MLB season is to be completed, there can’t be any slip-ups

“If you do feel something, just stay away and take it as seriously as possible. That’s the only way we’re going to really get through a World Series. I just think it’s important. Put your pride and egos aside. It could end up helping the rest of your teammates,” Bryant said, per Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.

Bryant’s comments aren’t a direct call out, but if Jerry Hairston, Jr. has heard the rumors, surely current players have as well. Some players, allegedly, aren’t being as safe as they ought to be. As we’ve seen throughout baseball, that has consequences.

The Cubs third baseman is set to make his return to the lineup after self-reporting COVID-19 symptoms last week, and missing time as a result. Surely, he would’ve rather been out there with his teammates, especially now knowing that he tested negative, but Bryant understands the importance of safety right now. If he had coronavirus, he would’ve put his entire team at risk, and others within the organization who interacted with him.

As Bryant can attest, it’s better to be safe than sorry.