The Yankees’ post-All-Star break opener against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night was postponed because of positive Covid-19 tests within New York’s organization.
Major League Baseball said the postponement was to allow for more testing and contact tracing.
New York was among the first major league teams to reach the 85 perecent vaccination threshold to lessen coronavirus protocols such as dropping mask use in dugouts and bullpens.
The Yankees placed left-handers Nestor Cortes and Wandy Peralta on the Covid-19 injured list Thursday around midday.
New York players were on the field taking early batting practice about 3 1/2 hours before the scheduled start when the Yankees asked media to leave the field while the team conducted Covid testing.
Boston came onto the field as the postponement was announced to take batting practice.
This marks the second time this season the Yankees have seen multiple members of the organization test positive. In May, the team had nine total positives within a week — three coaches, five staffers and shortstop Gleyber Torres.