Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Urena tests positive for COVID-19

Veteran Miami Marlins starter Jose Urena was scratched from today’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies for having tested positive for COVID-19.

Per Joe Frisaro of MLB.com and George Stockburger of That Ball’s Outta Here on FanSided.com Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Urena was a late scratch from starting the third and final game of the series between the Marlins and the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday afternoon.

"“Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweeted that Urena tested positive for COVID-19 prior to his start, but added that Urena feels fine,” Stockburger wrote. “It’s not known at this time whether Urena tested positive at the team hotel or upon arriving at the ballpark.”"

The health of players around MLB has been a concern since the 30 teams resumed practice at the beginning of July ahead of the start of the 2020 season which took place on Thursday night. The Marlins are 1-1 this season. Urena, the veteran of a young pitching rotation in South Florida, was replaced on the mound by Robert Dugger.

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Dugger was a starter in the final month of the Marlins rotation in 2019 but is now a part of the team’s bullpen. Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly has kept extra starters in his bullpen for situations like this where the potential of injuries or overuse in an abbreviated season could play havoc with the team’s bullpen.

"“With 93 big league starts, Ureña is the most experienced starter in Miami’s young rotation. The 28-year-old was the Opening Day starter the past two seasons and was slotted third in the rotation this year,” Frisaro wrote.“Dugger, 25, made the 30-man roster as depth, to either pitch in long relief or make spot starts. He had been in the competition for the fifth starter spot, which was won by Elieser Hernandez.”"

The Marlins opened their season on Friday night with a 5-2 win in Philadelphia. Starter Sandy Alcantara struck out seven batters on the night in dominant fashion. Yesterday, the Phillies hit four home runs as starter Caleb Smith and the bullpen walked nine batters in a 7-1 loss.