Reports emerged earlier on Tuesday that New York Yankees and New York Mets players unvaccinated against COVID-19 would not be allowed to play in home MLB games presently due to New York City's private sector employer mandate. The mandate continues to keep Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving a spectator for NBA contests held at Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden.
Slugger Aaron Judge was one of a handful of Yankees who reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus and missed time last summer during an outbreak that impacted the Bronx Bombers. With unvaccinated players also currently unable to travel for road games against the Toronto Blue Jays due to Canadian government guidelines, Judge understandably was asked Tuesday afternoon if he would share his vaccination status.
"I’m so focused on just getting through the first game of spring training," Judge responded, according to Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "I think we’ll cross that bridge whenever the time comes. But right now, so many things could change. I’m not really too worried about that right now."
Meanwhile, the Yankees released an official statement that reads:
"On behalf of the Yankees, (team president) Randy Levine is working with city hall and all other appropriate officials on this matter. We will have no further comment."
Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweeted the Yankees have three unvaccinated players.
At last count Yankees had 3 unvaccinated regular players. Mets had several unvaxxed last year and while they’ve made many alterations they still have a few. Unless something changes, greater depth is needed. https://t.co/FxQRXZ0GYf
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 15, 2022
Stefan Bondy and Dennis Young of the New York Daily News reported that New York City Mayor Eric Adams "has not indicated that he’s considering dropping the private sector mandate." However, Kuty wrote that "Yankees officials believe that the city will reverse its decision before Opening Day" and that a source said two players on the club are unvaccinated.
The Yankees host the Boston Red Sox for Opening Day on April 7.
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