Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was removed late in Tuesday's World Series-clinching win due to a positive COVID-19 test, Major League Baseball announced.
Edwin Rios replaced Turner to start the eighth inning, with no accompanying reason announced by the club. It wasn't until after the Dodgers closed out the series that the Fox postgame show passed along word of the test result.
"After the completion of the game tonight, we were informed by MLB that Justin Turner received a positive COVID test and that's why he was removed from the game." pic.twitter.com/EOxcMlNs5R
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 28, 2020
"It's a bittersweet night for us," commissioner Rob Manfred said postgame, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group. "We're glad to be done. I do think it's a great accomplishment for our players to get this season completed, but obviously, we're concerned when any of our players test positive."
Manfred added, "We learned during the game Justin was positive. He was immediately isolated to prevent the spread."
Thanks to everyone reaching out! I feel great, no symptoms at all. Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine. Can’t believe I couldn’t be out there to celebrate with my guys! So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA#WorldSeriesChamps
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) October 28, 2020
Shortly after sending the above tweet, Turner was seen on the field holding the World Series trophy and celebrating with his teammates. Turner was asked not to return to the field, but he and the Dodgers insisted upon it, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Rosenthal also reported that Turner's case is not a false positive.
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) October 28, 2020
"I think for him, being a free agent, not knowing exactly how the future is gonna play out, I don't think anyone was gonna stop him from going (onto the field)," Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
The entire Dodgers team will take a rapid PCR test upon returning to their hotel Tuesday night, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
"This is something we're gonna wrap our arms around tonight and in the morning and figure out where we're going from here," Friedman added.
"We're gonna all take tests and figure out what the results are from that and go from there."
MLB dealt with virus-related issues throughout its shortened 2020 season, with numerous postponements leading to condensed schedules filled with doubleheaders. In several cases, larger outbreaks forced teams into lengthy spells on the sidelines.
Positive tests were fewer and further between down the stretch, though, and MLB transitioned to bubble sites for the majority of the postseason with an eye on ensuring a safe and healthy conclusion to the season.
Turner's positive test comes just four days after MLB announced it had gone 54 consecutive days without such a result.
