COVID Woes Grow Larger for Red Sox

Boston's COVID woes continue to grow as catcher Kevin Plawecki plus two staff members have tested positive with the virus. Boston has called up minor leaguer Connor Wong from Worcester to take Plawecki's place as he serves his time on the 10-day COVID-IL.

Kevin Plawecki, plus two staff members, tested positive for COVID. Plawecki is fully vaccinated. Connor Wong is on his way from Worcester.
— Julian McWilliams (@byJulianMack) April 18, 2022

After receiving news yesterday that SP Tanner Houck will not be able to travel to Toronto with the team next week, the Red Sox were already looking at some roster issues. Plawecki, who is fully vaccinated, was an unexpected casualty for this week.

Plawecki is fully vaccinated, Cora said. Two staffers are not coaches but he wouldn't identify them. https://t.co/JAXww5vYUt
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 18, 2022

The Red Sox can only hope that the virus doesn't continue spreading around the clubhouse. The good news is that only symptomatic players are required to take PCR tests. If players can avoid showing cold-like symptoms, Boston may be able to escape some major setbacks.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he expects to be without multiple unvaccinated players for an upcoming series against the Toronto Blue Jays in Canada.
Cora was asked after the game against the Twins on Sunday if he expected to be missing other players.
"Yeah," Cora said. pic.twitter.com/WyJQB8B5NT
— Sportskeeda Baseball (@sportskeeda_mlb) April 18, 2022

That being said, Red Sox manager, Alex Cora, said he anticipates travelling to Toronto next week without several unvaccinated players. Houck is the only known player not making the trip across the border. Time will tell who the remaining players are.

Game 10: Hernández CF, Devers 3B, Bogaerts SS, Martinez DH, Verdugo LF, Arroyo 2B, Shaw 1B, Vázquez C, Bradley Jr. RF, and Hill LHP.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) April 18, 2022

For now, Boston's core is looking fairly healthy. Manager Alex Cora is giving both SS Trevor Story and 1B Bobby Dalbec a day off, so their absences in the lineup are not due to sickness.

Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports