Bogaerts removed from game after positive COVID-19 test
Boston Red Sox All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts was removed from Tuesday's loss against the Tampa Bay Rays after testing positive for COVID-19, the team announced, according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo.
Manager Alex Cora called him to the dugout in the second inning after Bogaerts started the game at shortstop and made one plate appearance.
Xander Bogaerts was at shortstop to start the 2nd inning. @NESN cameras spotted Alex Cora waving him in. #RedSox pic.twitter.com/8jyeJnObXO
— Bill Koch (@BillKoch25) August 31, 2021
The Red Sox didn't receive word of Bogaerts' positive test until after the game had already begun, according to Cotillo.
Enrique Hernandez, Christian Arroyo, Martin Perez, Matt Barnes, and Hirokazu Sawamura have all been placed on the COVID-19-related injured list since Friday. Meanwhile, left-hander Josh Taylor and first base coach Tom Goodwin are in quarantine as close contacts.
Quality control coach Ramon Vazquez has also tested positive, along with strength and conditioning coach Kiyoshi Momose.
The Red Sox are one of the few teams in MLB that haven't reached the 85% vaccination threshold, according to ESPN's Joon Lee.