23 MLB clubs now at 85% vaccination threshold for relaxed COVID-19 protocols

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association enjoyed a relatively quiet and positive week on the COVID-19 front. 

Those two entities confirmed Friday that zero players, coaches and staff members tested positive for the coronavirus over the past week. One player recorded a positive result over the prior round of testing. 

Additionally, 23 clubs have now reached the 85% COVID-19 vaccination threshold among Tier 1 employees that include players, managers, coaches, trainers and other essential staff. Twenty-two teams were at the 85% mark that allows for the loosening of certain health and safety protocols at this time last week. 

For the second straight week, the league reports 86.5% of Tier 1 and Tier 2 individuals have received at least one vaccine dose, and 85.4% of all Tier 1 and Tier 2 employees are considered fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, up from 85.3% the previous week. 

As Lindsay Kramer of Syracuse.com noted, the Triple-A Syracuse Mets were victims of a so-called "false positive" COVID-19 test that triggered the postponement of a game earlier this week.