The MLB commissioner’s office is beginning a full investigation after Justin Turner disregarded protocol Tuesday night following a positive COVID-19 test to join the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ on-field celebrations of their World Series win.
“While a desire to celebrate is understandable, Turner’s decision to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk,” said a statement from the league.
“When MLB Security raised the matter of being on the field with Turner, he emphatically refused to comply.”
The third baseman was lifted from Game 6 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday in the top of the eighth inning. The league said he was placed into isolation, but Turner was spotted by cameras celebrating with teammates on the field after the Dodgers’ 3-1 win, sometimes wearing a mask and sometimes not.
After the game, Turner tweeted that he was feeling “great” and wasn’t experiencing any symptoms.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that MLB was notified during the second inning 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.
MLB says the Dodgers’ travelling party was tested for the novel coronavirus Tuesday night, and both the Dodgers and Rays have been tested Wednesday. When they can return to their home cities will be determined after being approved by the “appropriate authorities.”
