Red Sox third-base coach Carlos Febles sent home after inconclusive coronavirus test result

Carlos Febles did not travel with the Red Sox to Tampa Bay.

The third-base coach was sent home to Boston after his final coronavirus test in New York returned inconclusive.

The Red Sox were swept in their weekend series with the Yankees, dropping the Sunday finale in the Bronx by a 9-7 count. Boston traveled on its off day Monday ahead of this two-game set with the Rays, but Febles was left off the team charter.

"We’re pretty sure this thing is going to [...]

Carlos Febles did not travel with the Red Sox to Tampa Bay.

The third-base coach was sent home to Boston after his final coronavirus test in New York returned inconclusive.

The Red Sox were swept in their weekend series with the Yankees, dropping the Sunday finale in the Bronx by a 9-7 count. Boston traveled on its off day Monday ahead of this two-game set with the Rays, but Febles was left off the team charter.

"We’re pretty sure this thing is going to come out negative, but we didn’t want to take a chance," Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. "We didn’t fly him down here with us to Tampa. He’s back in Boston and he’s got to wait for a test."

Major league coach Ramon Vazquez will man the third base box over each of the next two nights against Tampa Bay. Vazquez is in his third year on the Red Sox staff and serves as a liaison between the club’s advance scouting and analytics departments. Vazquez also works with Boston’s infielders, particularly on the defensive side – he appeared in 696 career games with six different organizations.

The Red Sox have been diligent about attempting to avoid similar outbreaks to those that befell the Marlins and Cardinals. Miami ultimately reported 22 positive tests among its travel party and St. Louis was up to 13 as of early Tuesday. The Marlins have completed just three games this season, seven fewer than Boston.

"We recommended the guys didn’t do anything, but we didn’t come out and say they had to stay in their hotel rooms," Roenicke said. "There were some coaches who were walking, wearing masks and trying to do the right thing.

"I can’t say exactly what everybody did, but I know what most of them did."

In a typical season, the Red Sox would have left New York during the overnight hours stretching into Monday morning. A trip to face the Rays is generally a prime spot for a scheduled day off, with Clearwater Beach, charter fishing and downtown areas in both Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg all within a short drive. Infielder Jose Peraza was among those Boston players who opted to stay in.

"It’s way different," Peraza said through translator Bryan Almonte. "I just stayed in my room talking to my wife and my babies. Watched TV. We can’t do anything."

Various reports suggested the Marlins and Cardinals engaged in unsanctioned behavior off the field, perhaps exposing themselves, their teammates and their coaching staff to the virus. The timeline would suggest Miami’s players contracted the virus while in exhibition action at Atlanta. Former major leaguer Jerry Hairston Jr., a 16-year veteran now in the broadcast booth, said St. Louis players had visited a casino.

"I walked last night – couldn’t believe how hot it was last night at about 7:30," Roenicke said. "But I didn’t do much. I read some. I guess I can say I enjoyed it some and I got to read a little bit more."

Boston is scheduled for another off day on Thursday before opening its next home stand. The Red Sox host the Blue Jays over the weekend, kicking off a stretch where they play for the next 17 days. Peraza has consistently worn a mask on the field and in the dugout to keep himself available, dropping it below his chin only during his at-bats.

"It’s extremely important for me, especially for my kids and my wife," Peraza said. "Wearing it, that’s really why I do it – to stay safe. Until I feel like I don’t have to anymore, I’m going to wear it."

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