Cardinals reveal Molina, DeJong, other players who tested positive for COVID-19

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis Cardinals have announced the names of six of the seven players that tested positive for COVID-19 in the last week – after permission was given by those players. They are catcher Yadier Molina, infielders Paul DeJong, Edmundo Sosa, and Rangel Ravelo, and pitchers Junior Fernández and Kodi Whitley. All six individuals made the decision to grant permission in order to release this information.

Molina first announced his positive test in a post he published on Instagram on Tuesday. 

The post reads, as translated to English: 

"I am saddened to have tested positive for COVID-19, even after following the prevention recommendations. I will do everything in my power to return as soon as possible for fans of the Cardinals, the city of St. Louis and my teammates. As I recover, I request that my privacy and that of my family be respected during my absence from the team. Blessings!" 

Buen dia! Me entristece haber dado positivo por COVID-19, incluso después de haber seguido con las recomendaciones de prevención. Haré todo lo que esté a mi alcance para regresar lo antes posible para los fanáticos de los Cardenales, la ciudad de San Luis y mis compañeros de equipo. A medida que me recupero, solicito que respeten mi privacidad y la de mi familia durante mi ausencia del equipo. Bendiciones!

A post shared by @ yadier_marciano_molina on Aug 4, 2020 at 8:31am PDT

DeJong also made a statement that was released by the team. 

“I am disappointed to share that I have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, even though I followed team protocols,” stated DeJong. “I will approach my healing as I do all other things in my life – with education, commitment, and persistence. I look forward to re-joining the team soon and ask that you respect my privacy at this time.”

On Monday the team announced seven players and six staff members on the team’s traveling party had tested positive. Seven games have been postponed from last Friday into this week because of the positive tests. 

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told media on Monday that all of the players or staff that tested positive showed minor symptoms and none needed to be hospitalized. He also said everyone who tested positive was already back in St. Louis, while the rest of the traveling party continues to self-quarantine in their respective hotel rooms in Milwaukee. The rest of the team plans to travel back to St. Louis on Wednesday.

The Cardinals have had seven games postponed due to the 13-person outbreak: a three-game weekend series in Milwaukee and four-game series in Detroit. The soonest they may be back in game action will be on Friday in St. Louis against the Chicago Cubs.