Pirates reveal outfielder Socrates Brito, reliever Blake Cederlind tested positive for covid-19

Pirates manager Derek Shelton on Sunday said two players, outfielder Socrates Brito and relief pitcher Blake Cederlind, tested positive for covid-19 and gave their consent to be identified.

Shelton stressed he must respect the privacy of players and staff members but believes it is an important step in spreading awareness throughout the sport about the severity of the pandemic.

“I very much appreciate it and very much respect the other people we have that don’t feel it’s necessary to talk about,” Shelton said, “but I think it is (important) to continue, as we move forward, for people to realize that it is real in the game. We’re respectful of their rights. We talk to guys about how they’re doing and what they’re doing and from there on out, just follow the MLB protocol.”

The 27-year-old Brito spent three seasons with Arizona and one with Toronto before joining the Pirates as a nonroster invitee to spring training, where he slashed .240/.269/.320 with two doubles and an RBI.

Cederlind, a 24-year-old right-hander, started last season at Class A Bradenton and finished at Triple-A Indianapolis. He was 5-2, with a 2.28 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over three levels in the minors, striking out 55 in 59 1/3 innings. Cederlind shined this spring, striking out nine in 4 2/3 innings in five appearances.

Brito and Cederlind must follow MLB health and safety guidelines, which involves contact tracing and requires both players to test negative twice before they can return to the team.

“There’s some other things that they have to do medically before they can get back on the field,” Shelton said. “I think it depends on how long they’re out and when the second negative test comes back. It’s probably something that we’ll work out with each guy individually, with where each guy was at, and then move forward with not only our plan was for them in this camp but also what our plan was for them for the season.”