Mets' Chris Bassitt lashes out at MLB COVID-19 protocols: 'Stop testing it'

New York Mets right-hander Chris Bassitt was scheduled to start against the Texas Rangers on July 1 but was scratched and later added to the COVID-19 injured list.

It was learned Wednesday that Bassitt, who last pitched on June 25, is on track to take the bump for Friday's home game against the Miami Marlins. The 33-year-old spoke with reporters ahead of Thursday's matchup versus Miami and expressed his frustrations over the league's coronavirus-related protocols. 

"It’s ridiculous we’re still doing it," Bassitt remarked, per Alex Smith of SNY. "Stop testing it. Stop acting like COVID is far worse than a lot of other things. I’m not trying to get too much into it, but I was never sick, never had a symptom. So, sitting out for two weeks or a week for zero symptoms, I don’t know." 

Bassitt tested positive for the virus at home following a two-game series versus the Houston Astros and reported it to the Mets before his July 1 start. 

"I tested myself just because the only symptom, so-called, that I had was the second game vs. Houston I was just way more sluggish, tired than I usually have [been], and having a little girl at home and stuff like that, if I can somewhat be safe, I will," the righty continued during his comments. "I tested myself and it was positive, so I basically had the choice to tell them so I could kind of protect my teammates or not say anything and put my teammates at risk a little bit.

"But, I mean, I never had a symptom. I woke up fine, the next day fine, haven’t had a symptom since, so I don’t know if I made the right decision of saying something or not. I don’t know.

Bassitt added, "I guess the answer is I should never have said anything. I should never have said that I tested positive, and I probably won’t the rest of my career. There’s no way, there’s no reason." 

Before the test result, Bassitt had gone 6-5 with a 4.01 ERA over 15 starts this season. 

The Mets, meanwhile, entered Thursday night holding a two-and-a-half-game lead over the second-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East standings.