Scherzer: Asymptomatic players should be allowed to play if vaccinated

Washington Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer wants to see Major League Baseball allow vaccinated players to suit up even if they are testing positive for COVID-19 as long as they aren't showing symptoms.

"We gotta update the rules here," Scherzer said, according to Maria Torres of The Athletic. "We gotta follow the science, start listening to what the CDC says. ... Vaccinated players that are testing positive and they're asymptomatic should be allowed to play. Plain and simple."

As of last week's update, the CDC website says: "We are still learning how well vaccines prevent you from spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 to others, even if you do not have symptoms. Early data show that vaccines help keep people with no symptoms from spreading COVID-19."

Scherzer, an MLBPA representative, maintains many major leaguers agree with him.

"There's probably a pretty good group of players that want to have that be the case," the 14-year veteran added. "There's a benefit to taking the vaccine. We gotta believe in the science that if you're asymptomatic and you're vaccinated, then you can play baseball."

Nationals pitchers Erick Fedde and Tanner Rainey are currently on the injured list without a specified reason.

The New York Yankees dealt with a COVID-19 outbreak in which nine members of the organization tested positive after being fully vaccinated. Shortstop Gleyber Torres missed multiple games due to the league's health and safety protocols even though he was asymptomatic.