Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was lifted from Game 6 of the World Series after being informed he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed the diagnosis that Fox first reported.
“It’s a bittersweet night for us. We’re glad to be done. I do think it’s a great accomplishment for our players to get the season completed,” Manfred said after presenting Corey Seager with the World Series MVP award. “But obviously we’re concerned when any of our players test positive. We learned during the game that Justin was a positive. He was immediately isolated to prevent spread.”
Turner was replaced by Edwin Rios defensively in the top of the eighth inning. No reason was immediately given for the change but Turner was not seen in the dugout or on the field celebrating with the team after clinching the title.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that MLB was notified during the second inning of Game 6 that Turner’s COVID-19 test on Monday had come back inconclusive. According to Passan, Turner’s test taken Tuesday morning then came back positive shortly after, at which time MLB notified the Dodgers that Turner needed to be lifted from the game.
The Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 Tuesday night to win the World Series for the first time since 1988.
