Snake Bytes 7/7: Seven and Seven

Diamondbacks News

[D’backs.com] D-backs open 2020 season in San Diego - The D-backs open the 60-game 2020 season on July 24 against the Padres as part of a six-game road swing that will take them through San Diego for four games and the Rangers’ new ballpark in Arlington for two. Arizona will face each of its National League West foes a total of 10 times, and they’ll play four games against each of the five teams in the American League West. The D-backs open their home schedule with a four-games series with the Dodgers, starting July 30. The D-backs will play seven home games and three road games against the Dodgers and Giants, and they will have seven road games and three home games against the Rockies and Padres.

[Arizona Sports] Sick D-backs OF David Peralta took 4 COVID-19 tests before returning - Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta’s situation for the past week-plus is a good example of how much things can be halted for players and/or teams during the COVID-19 pandemic. Peralta started feeling sick a little over a week ago, and all of MLB was reporting on July 1 for mandatory testing before the start of summer camp two days later. That meant Peralta had to wait, even if, as it turns out, he didn’t have the coronavirus. He tested negative on four separate occasions before getting the go-ahead on Monday to participate in summer camp for the first time. “I went through all the steps, so I’m happy I’m here,” he said Monday.

[AZ Central] Right fielder Kole Calhoun is Arizona Diamondbacks’ latest COVID-19 positive - Diamondbacks right fielder Kole Calhoun tested positive for the coronavirus, manager Torey Lovullo said, the third player to become infected on the club’s 40-man roster. Calhoun is asymptomatic and “feeling great,” Lovullo said, which is encouraging for the club on both personal and professional levels. Calhoun, whom the Diamondbacks signed to a two-year, $16 million deal in the offseason, is expected to be the team’s starting right fielder. And, of course, he might still be, depending on how quickly he can return two negative tests administered 24 hours apart. How long that takes is one of the many unknowns of the 2020 season. It could happen in days; it could take weeks. Lovullo was not sure on the exact day Calhoun tested positive. Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy contracted the virus in May and had a severe case. It took him 30 days to test negative.

[The Athletic] As Alex Young returns to work, his girlfriend treats COVID-19 patients back home - There had been some talk about sending the dogs with Alex Young to Arizona.The Diamondbacks left-hander and his girlfriend, Nicole Griffin, have two of them, a pair of golden retrievers named Milo and Sophie... As he returned to Phoenix, Young was facing a situation unlike any he’s experienced. Baseball had been shut down for months due to the coronavirus pandemic... But as stressful and potentially dangerous as a return to baseball might be for Young and his teammates, he knows it pales in comparison to what Griffin has battled for the past three months. She is a registered nurse at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. She works in the cardiovascular unit and, even though her unit is not one the hospital has dedicated to COVID-19, she frequently treats patients battling the illness. Young might be flying solo for the next several months to play baseball, but Griffin will be the lone warrior. The dogs stayed home.

Around the League

[CBS Sports] How COVID-19 is impacting MLB: Tracking positive cases and players who opted out of 2020 season - As many players report to their home ballparks and return to the field, some are choosing not to play this season. Nationals mainstay Ryan Zimmerman was among the first handful of players to say he won’t play in 2020. Dodgers left-hander David Pricebecame the biggest name to opt out when he did so on July 4. Two Braves veterans — right-hander Felix Hernandez and outfielder Nick Markakis — have also said they will not be suiting up this year.

[MLB Trade Rumors] Dombrowski, La Russa, Stewart Join Nashville Franchise Effort - Dave Dombrowski, Tony La Russa, and Dave Stewart are all now united in a potential bid for a new venture. That notable group is said to be joining Music City Baseball, LLC to aid in a dedicated effort at bringing Major League Baseball to Nashville, Tennessee. Precisely what role each will occupy at this point isn’t clear, but the long-time baseball insiders certainly bring some gravitas and connections to the bid. They’re currently listed as advisors to the undertaking, with Stewart also tabbed as a board member. The group is said to be attempting to compile an African American majority ownership group. Negro League Hall of Fame president Bob Kendrick is another board member of note. R.A. Dickey, Barry Zito, and Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin also rank as “baseball advisors.” The organization lists real estate executive John Loar as managing director and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales as Chairman of the Board.

[ESPN] Dodgers’ Mookie Betts fully prepared but has doubts on start of season - Mookie Betts was asked about his chances of suiting up for the Los Angeles Dodgers this year — or ever, given his pending free agency. “I still have my doubts, just based off what’s going on,” Betts said. “I’m definitely preparing the same way; I’m fully expecting to play. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t doubts that kinda go on when the facts aren’t in front of you.”

[Yahoo Sports] A’s GM ‘livid’ as COVID-19 testing delays reportedly affect at least 5 MLB teams - Oakland Athletics general manager Dave Forst is reportedly “frustrated” and “livid” at multi-day delays in shipping and processing team COVID-19 tests, delays which are now pushing back the A’s first full-squad workout since March. The Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Angels and at least two other unidentified teams are also having significant issues with testing, and a lack of communication from MLB is emerging as a common theme.