Red Sox COVID-19 outbreak spreads to manager Alex Cora

Red Sox fans will not see manager Alex Cora in the dugout for little while.

The Boston Red Sox had a small outbreak of COVID-19 within the clubhouse in recent days. Alex Cora appears to be the latest victim as the Red Sox manager tested positive for COVID-19 and is not in the dugout for today’s series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Shortly before Thursday’s game began, Cora apparently tested positive for COVID-19. Bench coach Will Venable took over managing duties for Cora on Thursday. There’s no timetable for Cora’s return, and one would assume that Venable will maintain the role of acting manager until Cora is back with the team.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora tests positive for COVID-19.

According to MLB.com, Alex Cora is experiencing mild symptoms and will not travel with the team for its series in St. Petersburg. The Boston Red Sox begin a three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday at Tropicana Field.

Cora isn’t the only member of the Red Sox to be sidelined. Catcher Kevin Plawecki has been out since Monday’s game against the Minnesota Twins. Boston is also without infielder Jonathan Arauz. The 23-year-old shortstop was placed on the COVID IL earlier this week. Christian Vazquez was reinstated from the COVID IL yesterday.

There’s no minimum number of days a player must miss if he’s placed on the COVID IL and a player does not necessarily have to test positive, but just be showing signs of the illness, in order for a team to place a player on the Injured List.

Minor league catcher Ronaldo Hernandez was called up to the big leagues to fill the void when both Vazquez and Plawecki were out. Both Tyler Danish and Rob Refsnyder were promoted from Triple-A Worcester earlier this week as well. Hernandez was optioned back to Triple-A yesterday when Vazquez returned to the lineup.

After the Boston Red Sox make a stop in St. Petersburg, the team will fly to Toronto for a four-game set with the Blue Jays. The Red Sox wrap up their road trip in Baltimore next weekend. It’s anyone’s guess as to when Alex Cora will return to the dugout.