Ross, 5 other Cubs team members miss morning workout due to delayed test results

Cubs manager David Ross was one of six team members who missed Monday's morning workout at Wrigley Field due to delayed COVID-19 test results.

The absence of Ross and the other unidentified Tier 1 individuals - players, coaches and staff members who undergo testing every two days - didn't cause a disruption, according to pitching coach Tommy Hottovy, because Monday's workout was light.

But what if Monday had been a game day?

Two of the Cubs' first three games against the Brewers feature early afternoon start times. While occasional test result delays are expected, they could become problematic once the season starts.

"It's completely different, though, if we're playing a game," said Hottovy, who announced last month that he spent a month under quarantine while recovering from COVID-19. "When we get these pending tests, that's the unique part about this. When are we going to get them back? If we have five pending tests and today one was your starting pitcher, one was your starting second baseman, one was your starting catcher, I mean, that's a huge chunk of your team that day.

"It's going to be interesting to see how the protocols come in place about pending tests," he said.

It was reported later Monday that five of the six delayed Cubs tests came back negative. The sixth, which isn't Ross or a player, needs to be redone because it was compromised in some way.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we think it makes sense for the six of us to wait for clarity," Ross said. "Situations like this have not been a worrisome indicator of a positive test result to date."

Cubs catcher Willson Contreras said he wasn't worried about his personal safety within the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.

"I don't think I'm at risk inside the ballpark because I think the Cubs have been doing the best they can to keep us safe in here," Contreras said. "Every time I come here, I feel safe."

Personal catchers

Contreras said he has no problem with backup catcher Victor Caratini being Yu Darvish's personal catcher, just as Contreras will remain Jon Lester's personal catcher.

"Victor's catching Darvish because there is only 60 games and Darvish did really well with Victor last year," Contreras said. "I don't mind it. I think I put myself in that situation when I started catching Lester, so it's the same situation."

Caratini's presence will ease the physical grind Contreras experiences behind the plate throughout the season. The addition of the designated hitter to the National League will give Contreras additional opportunities to rest his body while staying in the lineup.

"I know the DH will save my legs a little bit," he said. "I'll be ready to play every single day."

Wise words

As someone who's experienced the harshness of contracting COVID-19, Hottovy has been more than willing to serve as a resource on the virus to players and fellow coaches.

"It's been fun because it opens me up to having conversations with more of the position players, too," Hottovy said. "Like last night, it'll be in the middle of an inning and somebody will come over and just ask me a question. Not about the game but about the virus."

Hottovy said the virus hit him pretty hard, but he continues to feel better every day.

"Actually being outside and being on my feet so long, I feel like I'm getting stronger," he said. "I'm exhausted by the end of the day but I do feel like I'm getting stronger, absolutely."