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

Thursday's series opener between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium was postponed a few hours before the scheduled first pitch due to COVID-19 issues impacting the Bronx Bombers.

According to ESPN's Enrique Rojas, Jeff Passan and Buster Olney, the Yankees are expected to host the Red Sox Friday after six New York players tested positive for the coronavirus. Pitchers Jonathan Loaisiga, Nestor Cortes Jr., and Wandy Peralta were known to be positive Thursday. All-Star Aaron Judge, third baseman Gio Urshela and catcher Kyle Higashioka were in the protocol at that time and have since been confirmed as positive cases. 

While the results of Friday's rapid COVID-19 tests could lead to another postponement, Olney reported at 1:04 pm ET members of the Red Sox were already on their way to the stadium. 

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said a "majority" of the six players impacted by this latest outbreak had received a COVID-19 vaccine and were asymptomatic. Meanwhile, Thursday's matchup between the clubs was the league's first coronavirus-related schedule disruption since April 19.

The Yankees head into Friday night at 46-43 and eight games back of the first-place Red Sox (55-36) in the American League East standings.