The reigning World Series champion Washington Nationals have resumed training camp after canceling workouts Monday because of COVID-19 testing delays.
General manager Mike Rizzo said the team felt confident about getting back to Nationals Park for practices after receiving all player and staff test results from Friday. The American League champion Houston Astros also canceled workouts Monday and resumed Tuesday.
"They're still trying to iron out the bugs,'' Astros manager Dusty Baker said. "No one's happy about it -- the players, the MLB, probably the testing site. But the tests came back today, and we were able to work."
The San Francisco Giants announced later Tuesday they are "suspending workouts at Oracle Park, pending the results of tests conducted this past weekend." The Giants said Monday that two people had tested positive for the coronavirus without providing further details on whether the two were players, coaches or staff.
Giants manager Gabe Kapler said one missed day wouldn't put his club behind. He said he expects the testing process to improve.
"I feel as confident today as I did yesterday,'' Kapler said. "I understand that there are going to be hiccups along the way. ... I think more than anything I just maintain a level of empathy for everybody that's working really hard to get our camp up and running but also across the league and for all the clubs that are working really hard to put their players in a position to have success. Nobody expected this to be easy and everybody is doing the best that they can.''
The Giants already have had prospect Hunter Bishop and pitcher Luis Madero test positive.
The Chicago Cubs also delayed the start of their workout a few hours Tuesday because they were awaiting some new test results, manager David Ross said.
A handful of players did not take part in the Nationals' workouts, including Starlin Castro, Juan Soto, Howie Kendrick and Victor Robles.
Without giving names, Rizzo said two players tested positive for the coronavirus and that any players and staff who came into contact with them had to be retested.
Ross, speaking one day after slugger Kris Bryant criticized the lack of frequency of the tests and delays in getting results, urged patience from everybody.
"This isn't a huge deal," Ross said. "It seems a little bit bigger with what's been going on with some teams the last day or so. I think, again, in everybody's world we have to have a little bit of patience. We can't just crush MLB because this is new to them, too, and the testing facility."
Also, the Kansas City Royals announced right-hander Brad Keller and first baseman Ryan O'Hearn had positive tests and gave the team permission to announce the results.
Keller, 24, said he has "minor symptoms that remind me more of an allergy attack.''
Braves manager Brian Snitker, eager for a quiet day, embraced "our first normal-feel day since we've been back.''
Four Atlanta players, including first baseman Freddie Freeman and one of the team's top relievers, Will Smith, have tested positive. Two veterans, outfielder Nick Markakis and right-hander Felix Hernandez, have decided to sit out the season.
On Tuesday, Snitker had his first chance to address his full squad at Truist Park as he made plans for a situational scrimmage on Wednesday and the team's first intrasquad game on Monday. Before Tuesday, only small groups had been on the field as the team practiced social distancing.
"I told the guys I've never felt so detached from the team in all my life because we've been here, there and everywhere," Snitker said. "I feel like today is the start of something that we're all kind of getting back in the swing of these things.''
Among Braves pitchers scheduled to throw on Wednesday are Mike Soroka, Max Fried, Josh Tomlin and Shane Greene.
The Baltimore Orioles will play their first intrasquad game on Wednesday night at Camden Yards. Left-hander Tommy Milone and right-hander Tom Eshelman will start the game, which is scheduled for 7½ innings.
"Everyone's getting tired of going through the daily workout and ready to play some meaningless games, at least where pitchers face hitters in a game environment,'' manager Brandon Hyde said.
The intrasquad games and workouts give top prospects opportunities to show they belong.
In a matchup of the Marlins' past two first-round picks, right-hander Max Meyer faced right fielder JJ Bleday in batting practice. Both hope to make the majors this season.
"Everyone has to be ready to go,'' Meyer said. "COVID could go through the locker room. You never know what's going to happen, especially the time we're in right now. So all of us are getting ready.''
The Associated Press contributed to this report.