Rumors Are That Marlins Players Went Out for a Night on the Town in Atlanta Prior to COVID-19 Outbreak

The Miami Marlins are currently dealing with a coronavirus outbreak.  They currently have 17 players and coaches who have tested positive and as a result their season has been paused until Sunday at the earliest.

Now there are rumors circulating that several players went out for a night on the town in Atlanta prior to the outbreak.  The Marlins played their last exhibition games against the Braves prior to the start of the season.

From The Big Lead:

Bob Nightengale blew up the Miami Marlins coronavirus outbreak story on Tuesday. The veteran USA Today baseball writer claimed a few members of the team went out in Atlanta while they were there for a two-game exhibition slate with the Braves last week. If that's true it adds an even deeper layer to the mess the Marlins are in.

Nightengale made the accusation during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, you can listen here. He claimed he didn't think this was a fluke and that some guys "got careless" and "at least one guy did for sure" and that they were exposed to the virus and spread it around. The Marlins then traveled to Philadelphia to play the Phillies in the opening series of the season, where positive tests began popping up.

The rumor mill has a similar story.

Rumor mill: multiple Marlins players visted a strip club in ATL after the Braves exhibition game. This is probably what kickstarted the case train in the lockerroom.

— Ry Jones, for now. (@RyryJones) July 28, 2020

Of course they did.

It's a rumor right now, but let's hope the MLB investigates or some footage of the Marlins players out enjoying the nightlife and catching the rona in Atlanta surfaces.

Failing to follow the proper protocols would certainly explain why so many players have it.  Grab the popcorn, this could get entertaining.