MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota Twins shortstop Andrelton Simmons has tested positive for the coronavirus and was placed on the COVID-19 injured list on Wednesday for the team’s doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox.
Simmons has said he has no plans to get the COVID-19 vaccine, which was made available to Target Field’s team in a single dose last Thursday.
Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said Simmons was experiencing “very mild” symptoms and rested at home. The positive test result was received late on Tuesday, after the Twins lost 4-2 to the Red Sox.
After the initial phase of contact tracing, the Twins determined that no additional players needed to be quarantined.
Simmons was replaced on the roster by infielder JT Riddle, who was called up from the alternate training location. Third baseman Josh Donaldson, who has been eliminated since the season opener with a pulled hamstring, was expected back for the second game of the doubleheader.
The Twins held a meeting to remind players and staff to observe virus protocols, even though a majority of them have been vaccinated. The full immunization period is not yet in effect.
“We’re a long way out of the woods on that front,” Falvey said, adding, “Now is the time to be as vigilant as possible.”
Simmons tweeted last month that he would not receive or advocate for the vaccine for “personal reasons and past experiences,” which he declined to elaborate on. He confirmed on Sunday that he was not participating in the team-wide vaccination. Asked if he planned to take the photo in the future, Simmons said he didn’t know.
“We want to continue educating people in the area. This is real. This is something that can get in. We know that,” Falvey said. “Sometimes no one knows exactly how it can happen at different times. We know that by not only watching our sport, but all the sports and the country and the world. Our view on that constantly reminds people why we think it “It’s a good idea to get vaccinated. Our doctors recommended that, so we’re continuing to provide them as resources for players to learn as much as possible about them.”