Yankees cleared to host Red Sox Friday despite COVID-19 outbreak

Barring an unexpected change, the New York Yankees will welcome the Boston Red Sox to Yankee Stadium Friday for an evening showdown between the rival clubs. 

MLB announced Friday afternoon the Yankees have been cleared for Friday's matchup following a COVID-19 outbreak that involved six players reportedly testing positive for the virus. Pitchers Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortes Jr. and Wandy Peralta were confirmed positive cases by Thursday night, and ESPN has said that All-Star Aaron Judge, third baseman Gio Urshela and catcher Kyle Higashioka are also positive after entering the protocol Thursday. 

MLB did not confirm the second round of positive test results in its statement. 

According to the MLB website, Loaisiga, Corte, and Peralta are all fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but at least one of the six named players is not. 

"After conducting testing and contact tracing involving members of the New York Yankees’ organization, the Club’s home game on Friday night vs. the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium will proceed as scheduled," the league explained. 

"The postponement of Thursday’s game will be made up as part of a split doubleheader at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, Aug. 17. The first game will be played at 1:05 p.m. ET, followed by the previously scheduled 7:05 p.m. ET game."

MLB continued: "The Yankees are one of several Major League teams to have reached the 85% vaccination threshold. The Red Sox, however, have not reached that threshold."

New York is 46-43 and trails first-place Boston, 55-36, by eight games in the American League East standings.

Dr. Brian McDonough joined WFAN's "Moose & Maggie" show earlier on Friday to discuss this latest outbreak.