Pair of Brewers pitchers test positive for covid-19

ATLANTA — Milwaukee Brewers pitchers Jake Cousins and Hunter Strickland tested positive for covid-19 on Saturday and will be placed in quarantine in the latest cases to affect the NL Central leaders.

A third reliever, Jandel Gustave, will miss Saturday night’s game at Atlanta because of contact tracing.

Earlier this week, star outfielder Christian Yelich tested positive for the coronavirus and was showing mild symptoms. Utilityman Jace Peterson was sidelined at the time because of contact tracing.

Asked if these new positives were connected to Yelich’s case, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said “no way to know that.”

Counsell said the team is “hoping we can minimize it and keep it where it is.”

The positive tests came after Cousins and Strickland, who Counsell said have had vaccinations, reported symptoms.

“Tonight’s game is not in jeopardy,” Counsell said. “We’ve been in contact with Major League Baseball. We’ve done exhaustive contact tracing. So no issues with tonight’s game.”

Counsell said the team was fortunate that two relief pitchers acquired in trades on Friday, Daniel Norris and John Curtiss, joined the Brewers in time for Saturday night’s game.

“They’re both good to go,” Counsell said.

“We’re fine for the game strategically to go all out and try and win the game. We’re obviously a little concerned this is just popping up so we’re trying to get through that part of it,” he said.

Counsell said he did not yet know if the players placed in quarantine would remain in Atlanta when the team returns to Milwaukee on Sunday to open a homestand against Pittsburgh on Monday.

Counsell said the positive tests were the latest evidence that “covid is still around us.”

“We have to understand that,” he said. “Everybody is doing their best, but obviously … it’s challenging.”

Cousins is 1-0 and has not allowed a run in 14 1/3 innings. Strickland is 0-1 with a 1.76 ERA in 14 games. Gustave is 1-0 and hasn’t allowed a run in six appearances.

Cousins was placed on the covid-19 injured list, and Strickland will be placed on the list on Sunday. Gustave was put on the injured list for covid-19 contact.