Red Sox pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura tests positive for COVID-19

The Boston Red Sox are not yet past their latest COVID-19 issues. 

According to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Boston manager Alex Cora told reporters ahead of Tuesday's game at the Tampa Bay Rays that right-handed relief pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura is the club's latest player to test positive for the coronavirus. 

Left-hander Martin Perez and also right-hander Matt Barnes returned positive COVID-19 tests before Monday's matchup in Florida. After the contest, the Red Sox announced that quality control coach Ramon Vazquez had tested positive and that southpaw reliever Josh Taylor and first base coach Tom Goodwin had been deemed high-risk close contacts. 

Infielder Enrique Hernandez and second baseman Christian Arroyo previously tested positive. 

"It feels like it is one every day, right?" Cora remarked when speaking about Boston's coronavirus-related setbacks. "It's just the natural of where we're at. This is where our reality is. Hopefully, this is the end of it, but there's no guarantees." 

Per The Boston Globe, the Red Sox haven't reached the 85% COVID-19 vaccination threshold that allows for the loosening of some health and safety protocols. 

Boston began Tuesday at 75-58 and in possession of an American League wild-card playoff berth.