Joe Kelly dubs MLB bubble ‘insecure’ following Justin Turner’s positive test

Joe Kelly didn’t hold back on his feelings about the unsafe MLB bubble.

If there was one MLB player that was going to call out the league on the lack of safety in the so-called MLB bubble during the World Series, it was going to be Dodgers pitcher Joe Kelly. In a recent interview, Kelly was quoted questioning how someone (his teammate Justin Turner) could test positive for COVID-19 if there was truly a legit bubble.

“I want to know who gave him the Corona,” Kelly said during an interview with Boston radio network WEEI. “If it’s a bubble how do you get Corona in the bubble.”

Turner received that positive COVID-19 test mid-game in the game 6 World Series win over the Tampa Bay Rays. He was then later seen celebrating with his team on the field after the victory.

Kelly told the Boston radio station he isn’t surprised at all that someone ended up testing positive during the series.

“It makes sense someone got the virus. It’s a secure zone, but it was the first time in my life I have felt insecure,” he said. “I was insecure in the secure zone. It wasn’t called the bubble. It was called the secure zone, for people who don’t know.”

Kelly clearly wasn’t happy, and his strong words came in defense of Turner after the MLB came out with a statement saying they weren’t thrilled with Turner’s post-game decision.

The MLB addressed Justin Turner’s positive test

“Immediately upon receiving notice from the laboratory of a positive test, protocols were triggered, leading to the removal of Justin Turner from last night’s game. Turner was placed into isolation for the safety of those around him. However, following the Dodgers’ victory, it is clear that Turner chose to disregard the agreed-upon joint protocols and the instructions he was given regarding the safety and protection of others. While a desire to celebrate is understandable, Turner’s decision to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk. When MLB Security raised the matter of being on the field with Turner, he emphatically refused to comply.”

Good on Kelly for mixing things up in the MLB. Not his first rodeo though, how could you forget him getting ejected for throwing at Houston Astros hitters early in 2020 and making gestures while leaving the field.

It should be interesting to see how Rob Manfred and the MLB handle a potential bubble situation if the pandemic continues through 2021.