Duffy becomes fourth Cubs player to join injured list
A fourth Cubs player went on the injured list Tuesday, but manager David Ross said none of the four players have actually tested positive for COVID.
Infielder Matt Duffy joined relievers Brandon Workman, Jason Adam and Dan Winkler on the shelf. The reasons range from contact tracing to concerns to minor health issues.
"Right now with protocols and being extra cautious, if you have a headache, if you have a runny nose, if you have body aches, if you have just about anything going on that could be one of the 10 COVID symptoms, we're going to err on the side of caution," Ross said before the game in Milwaukee.
After Ross spoke, starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks was a late scratch because he wasn't feeling well, and replaced by Alec Mills.
Two staff members - first-base coach Craig Driver and bullpen coach Chris Young - did test positive and are back in Chicago, away from the team. Ross said both coaches wanted to share information about their vaccination history.
"Craig already got one of the shots when it was first available to him," Ross said. "He's in the process of waiting that out, the 21 days in between (doses). CY had already been fully vaccinated, but it's two weeks after you get the second shot that you're fully vaccinated. That would have been Sunday. Chances are, he contracted COVID before Sunday, so it's a five-week process.
"They don't want to scare anybody. They think the fact that they've had the shot is actually a positive and would recommend everybody to get the shot. CY feels completely fine. They think the reason they feel as good as they do is because they had some version of the shot. We are taking this seriously and we're trying to get everybody vaccinated as we possibly can."
Asked if the two COVID positive cases has changed anyone's mind about getting the vaccine, Ross said he's not sure because the shots won't resume until the team returns to Chicago in a of couple days.
The Cubs added infielder Ildemaro Vargas to the roster Tuesday. Ross said Vargas was already in Milwaukee as part of the taxi squad, which was one reason they chose him instead of Nico Hoerner.
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