Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was lifted from Game 6 of the World Series after being informed he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed the diagnosis that Fox first reported.
"It's a bittersweet night for us. We're glad to be done. I do think it's a great accomplishment for our players to get the season completed," Manfred said after presenting Corey Seager with the World Series MVP award. "But obviously we're concerned when any of our players test positive. We learned during the game that Justin was a positive. He was immediately isolated to prevent spread."
Turner was replaced by Edwin Rios defensively in the top of the eighth inning. No reason was immediately given for the change but Turner was spotted by cameras celebrating with teammates on the field after the game, sometimes wearing a mask and sometimes not.
After the game, Turner tweeted that he was feeling "great" and wasn't experiencing any symptoms.
"Thanks to everyone reaching out! I feel great, no symptoms at all," he wrote. "Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine. Can’t believe I couldn’t be out there to celebrate with my guys! So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA #WorldSeriesChamps."
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that MLB was notified during the second inning of Game 6 that Turner's COVID-19 test on Monday had come back inconclusive. According to Passan, Turner's test taken Tuesday morning then came back positive shortly after, at which time MLB notified the Dodgers that Turner needed to be lifted from the game.
MLB opted to use bubble sites for its playoffs after the success the NBA and NHL had with the format earlier this year. The World Series was played at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas in front of 11,000 fans. MLB last issued an update on its daily COVID-19 testing on Oct. 23, saying that it had been COVID-19-free among all teams for 53 consecutive days.
The Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 Tuesday night to win the World Series for the first time since 1988.
