Hoyer wants Cubs to continue to be vigilant against coronavirus

Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer sounds a little like a stockbroker when discussing the success the Cubs and Major League Baseball have had avoiding positive COVID-19 tests.

"It's not like past performance on these tests is any indication of future performance," Hoyer said, warning against a false sense of security. "We have to stay vigilant and we have continue to do the right things. And hopefully we can avoid positives. And I think that's leaguewide, as well."

Of course getting test results back in a timely manner remains a concern also. That's been a problem for the Cubs this week. Some players and even manager David Ross had to miss a workout or two while awaiting delayed results.

Hoyer is confident MLB will work out the kinks in the system in time for the start of the season, but for now he's preaching patience during this most unusual time.

"And then there's some - I don't know what the right word is - but there are some burgeoning hot spots that you worry about a little bit," Hoyer said without getting specific. "I think that's probably, when it comes to non-baseball stuff, the stuff I look at most."

The Cubs have 40 players in Chicago now and 17 at South Bend. Hoyer expects those players at South Bend to be ready whenever needed, including in case of more delays getting test results.

Teams are allowed no more than 60 players this season, 30 with the big-league club and 30 at the alternate training site.

"The importance of South Bend really can't be underestimated," Hoyer said. "That's your Triple-A team this year, and we're going to need those guys to be ready to come up because we're probably going to use a lot of them."