REPORT: Three Colorado Rockies test positive for COVID-19

According to a report from Kyle Newman of the Denver Post, three members of the Colorado Rockies have tested positive for COVID-19: Lefty-reliever Phillip Diehl, prospect pitcher Ryan Castellani, and All-Star outfielder Charlie Blackmon.

An undisclosed number of players have been working out at Coors Field for the last month and Newman reports that the rest of those in attendance have been tested and had the results come back negative.

Also according to the report, only one of the three players has been showing symptoms.

There are details beyond that and no speculation on when any of the three could return to the field.

This comes just as MLB and the MLBPA have finally reached an agreement to begin extended camp on July 1, only seven days from the breaking of this news.

From an off-field perspective, this is obviously sad news and the DNVR family extends well wishes to all three men and their families in hopes that they can handle this virus as best as possible.

From an on-field perspective, this could obviously come as a shock to the Rockies if any of these three players end up missing any extended time, especially an every day player of Blackmon’s quality.

We have now officially entered the weird space where COVID and normal conversations about the impact of players on the injured list have on their club’s chances to win games are going to start to intersect.

Castellani is an important depth piece to the team’s rotation and could provide innings out of the bullpen depending on the success of those currently slated for a back end role. Diehl is in line for pivotal left-handed matchups against some of the best bats in the National and American League West.

As for Blackmon, well… he’s the heart and soul of the team.

We will keep you posted as more details emerge.