Angry Reds are on other side of MLB’s coronavirus dilemma

MLB has recently come under fire for being too disorganized in how it has handled the Marlins’ coronavirus outbreak. Now, the league is receiving gripes for being too strict in its protocols. Cincinnati Reds second baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielder Nick Senzel will appeal a ruling that has forced them to miss games, according to …

MLB has recently come under fire for being too disorganized in how it has handled the Marlins’ coronavirus outbreak. Now, the league is receiving gripes for being too strict in its protocols.

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielder Nick Senzel will appeal a ruling that has forced them to miss games, according to The Athletic.

After they self-reported symptoms, Moustakas and Senzel have not been available due to a league-mandated ruling. The team has lost all three games without the pair, and currently sit at 1-4.

“If you look at our lineup, unfortunately with some of these f—g protocols, you know, Moose [Moustakas] and Senzel both have negative tests, but they are unable to play until Thursday,” outfielder Nick Castellanos said. “That’s obviously been a big letdown because both of them are big parts of our lineup.”

Despite multiple tests, neither Moustakas nor Senzel have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the report.

In order to return to the field, Moustakas and Senzel must meet three requirements under the league’s 2020 operation manual: negative results on two different types of tests, no symptoms and an approval from a team physician.

According to USA Today, Nationals star Juan Soto is also dealing with testing aggravation as he tries to return to the field. Soto tested positive before Washington’s season opener against the Yankees and has yet to play this season.

Both Reds players would seemingly qualify to return to the field, but are still deemed as ineligible. This comes just days after 15 players and two coaches on the Marlins tested positive for COVID-19. A 16th player tested positive this week, according to the Athletic.

In their appeal, Moustakas and Senzel will appear before a joint committee comprised of one non-medical representative from both the league and players association as well as a physician from both sides.

Moustakas, who was placed on the injured list, believes he had food poisoning, according to the report. Senzel, who was not placed on the IL, believes he was dealing with a cold.

The replacements for Moustakas and Senzel have gone 0-for-20 in their place, and the Reds currently find themselves in last place in the NL Central.

Moustakas started the year with four hits in his first eight at-bats with the team before he was shut down. The 31-year-old signed a four-year $64-million contract with the Reds this offseason.

“We’re not getting on base, we’re not driving guys in, we’re trying to do too much, we’re expanding,” Castellanos said. “I’m guilty of all of that.”