THE YANKEES, GARY SANCHEZ & NO TEST FOR CORONAVIRUS? WHY?

Source: SNY

Spring training is for working out the kinks, taking some pre-cautions and planning for the season.  Now, with the coronavirus scare plaguing the US and beyond, you can't be too careful.  With locker rooms and dugouts offering close quarters and stands packing in crowds, the threat is heightened. And with Gary Sanchez down with the flu, concerns continue to mount for the Yankees.

"Sanchez said he was feeling a "little tight, a little uncomfortable" in the lower and middle parts of his back on Sunday, as he sat out both split squad matchups the Yankees had. The catcher also missed Monday's game against the Phillies," reported SNY.

Source: USA Today

According to the Lindsey Adler, a writer for the Athletic, "Gary Sánchez tested positive for the flu, Aaron Boone said. He wasn't tested for coronavirus. Will be away from the team until Friday."  Why not test him for COVID-19?  I mean, if the team is trying to be cautious and keep guys off the IL, why aren't the Yankees testing one of their players for a virus that is spreading rampantly after he tested positive for the flu?

"Because coronavirus testing kits are in limited supply, patients are first tested for the flu, and if that comes back negative, they go for additional testing. Since Sanchez tested positive for the flu, he was not tested for coronavirus," reported CBS Sports. This case will be monitored, but it seems a bit worrisome.

Since coming up for his first season back in 2016, Sanchez has never played a full season.  He has made multiple trips to the IL, five to be exact.  He has had calf and groin pulls.  He had a terrible shoulder injury in 2018. And the Yankees need him to be healthy in 2020.  There is no Austin Romine to back him up and although the Yankees are hopeful that Kyle Higashioka can fill that void, but that remains to be determined.  This is either going to be Higgy's year or it's not. And if it is not, are the Yankees done for?

So, although the Yankees have another issue to monitor with Sanchez out for the flu, the bigger picture is that Sanchez can't stay healthy for an entire season.  This is more of the issue.  I know the Yankees have gone all in for Sanchez, but there needs to be a contingency plan.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof