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Report: Marlins didn't follow safety protocols in Atlanta

Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Major League Baseball's investigation into the Miami Marlins' COVID-19 outbreak found that the team didn't follow health and safety protocols during a preseason road trip to Atlanta, according to Scott Miller of Bleacher Report.

Marlins players left their hotel to go out at night while in Atlanta on July 21 and 22, Miller reports. They also spent time in the hotel bar. It's not clear where the players went when outside the hotel.

The Marlins declined to comment on the report, instead stating that they're "gathering all the facts," according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

Tampa Bay Rays starter Tyler Glasnow was quick to react to the report, saying it's "ridiculous" for players to not follow league protocols in such a manner.

The Marlins have been at the center of MLB's growing coronavirus outbreak during the season's first week. As of Friday morning, 20 Marlins had reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, and over a week's worth of their games have been postponed.

Miami played the Phillies in Philadelphia last Sunday despite having already learned of four positive tests on its team. Since then, one Phillies coach and one clubhouse attendant have tested positive for COVID-19; none of their players tested positive, but Citizens Bank Park was closed for cleaning and the Phillies also haven't played since Sunday.

There were 29 positive tests across MLB over the past week, the league and MLBPA announced Friday. Twenty-one of the 29 positive tests came from "a single MLB club," though the league didn't specify which team that was.

Commissioner Rob Manfred reportedly threatened to shut down the season if teams don't do a better job of following health and safety protocols.

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