BoSox Injection
Fansided

Red Sox: Hunter Renfroe says MLB told team to stop testing amid COVID outbreak

By Gabrielle Starr

Jun 23, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Hunter Renfroe (10) looks on while at bat during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2021; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Hunter Renfroe (10) looks on while at bat during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

This story is developing. 

Red Sox outfielder Hunter Renfroe is having a wild 24 hours.

On Wednesday night, he set an expansion-era franchise record by recording his sixteenth right-field assist. He also hit the game-winning home run, his 27th of the season.

Then, on Thursday afternoon, Renfroe opened an enormous can of worms.

Hunter Renfroe says MLB told the Red Sox to stop testing during their COVID outbreak

Renfroe joined WEEI’s “Merloni & Fauria” show to discuss a plethora of topics, including his team’s recent COVID outbreak. The Red Sox are one of only six MLB teams that never reached the 85% vaccination threshold, and over the last two weeks, have placed 11 players on the COVID-19-related Injured List, including Kiké Hernández, Christian Arroyo, Matt Barnes, Nick Pivetta, and Xander Bogaerts.

Here’s the full clip:

Merloni, who played for his hometown Red Sox from 1998-1999, 2000-2002, and in 2003, asked Renfroe to clarify if MLB had asked the team to stop testing for more COVID cases:

"Merloni: “So, MLB asked you to stop testing?”Renfroe: “Yes.”Merloni: “And just so to try to play, move on, and don’t worry about it?”Renfroe: “Yeah.”"

There isn’t much room for debate; Merloni asked Renfroe to clarify, and he did. If this is true – and there’s no reason for Renfroe to lie – then the Office of the Commissioner is in the hot seat yet again. Trying to control a COVID outbreak by pretending it doesn’t exist is not only foolish and absurd, it’s potentially life-threatening to everyone who comes in contact with the team.

Another great look for Major League Baseball.

Update: MLB responds to Hunter Renfroe’s claims

Unsurprisingly, MLB has not only denied Renfroe’s claims, but tried to turn the tables on him. Again, there is no reason for Renfroe to risk his career and reputation by lying about this.

Update: Red Sox spokesperson issues statement about Hunter Renfroe’s comments

Shortly before MLB issued their statement, the Red Sox issued one of their own.

It’s worth noting that this very carefully-worded response does not actually contradict Renfroe’s, because again, why would he lie?

Trending. Hunter Renfroe is doing something Mookie Betts never did. light

Home/Red Sox News