TAMPA — With the world slowing down around them, the Yankees that have so far remained in town tried to maintain some kind of normalcy, which is why several of them showed up to take batting practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Wednesday with hitting coach Marcus Thames.
Not surprisingly, even that has been modified in the age of the coronavirus, which as of Wednesday morning, had infected two Yankees minor leaguers.
Working with Giancarlo Stanton, DJ LeMahieu, Tyler Wade and Clint Frazier, Thames said he wore latex gloves to try to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus that has stopped virtually all sports — including MLB.
“We try to space ourselves out and not touch the ball,’’ Thames said of the drills they did Wednesday. “I have to wear latex gloves and guys wore batting gloves. We’re trying to stay safe and listen to the health [department] to make sure we’re doing the right thing.”
Thames said Stanton, who suffered a strained calf early in spring training, looked “good” and hit both inside and outside.
He almost certainly wouldn’t have been ready for Opening Day if the start of the season hadn’t been pushed back from March 26 in Baltimore, but with MLB heeding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation that they limit gatherings to fewer than 50 people until mid-May, Stanton may be ready in time.
“He’s doing good,’’ Thames said.
Though about a dozen players on the 40-man roster have so far stayed in Tampa and can work at Steinbrenner Field, minor leaguers remain in quarantine after a pair of players tested positive.
They will be quarantined at least until March 25 and then will likely be encouraged to return home. Those unable to do so will be able to stay in Tampa and continue to get the three meals per day and the added stipend the team is currently providing.
The two minor leaguers who tested positive for the virus remain symptom-free.
The Yankees declined to say if any other player had undergone testing, which has been administered independently by the Florida Department of Health.
Though the pair of minor leaguers are not believed to have had contact with anyone on the major league side, Thames said it got the Yankees’ attention.
“It’s concerning, especially with what’s going on,’’ Thames said. “You try to stay away from people as much as you can. It’s hard, just with the industry we’re in.”
Still, Thames intends to keep coming to Steinbrenner Field as long as it’s open and hitters are around.
“I live here [in Tampa] and if guys want to work out, I’ll still come and try to help,’’ Thames said. “We’ll see if everybody can get through this together.”