Yasiel Puig was expected to sign his deal with the Atlanta Braves shortly, but that reportedly no longer will happen.
Puig announced Friday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). In the wake of the positive test, major league sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal that Puig will no longer be signing with the Braves.
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SIGN UP HERE Per Rosenthal, the Braves never had a formal agreement with Puig but intended to advance the negotiations if he tested negative. Puig now will quarantine until he returns two negative tests.
After a down 2019 spent with the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds, the market for Puig never materialized. Rumors swirled during the offseason and spring about the potential for the Giants to bring in their former rival, needing to add some pop to an outfield that currently has a number of question marks. Once spring training was halted due to the pandemic, MLB froze rosters and Puig was left without a team.
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With the season expected to begin next week, Puig had decided to join the Braves but now will go back on the free-agent market. The Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Miami Marlins are teams that reportedly had shown interest in the outfielder.
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While Puig is back on the market, it seems unlikely the Giants would try and sign him with Opening Day a week away. The Giants are set to enter the season with Mike Yastrzemski, Hunter Pence, Jaylin Davis, Alex Dickerson and Mauricio Dubon patrolling the outfield.