Former Atlanta Braves Outfielder Yasiel Puig Tests Positive for COVID-19, Remains Free Agent

Yasiel Puig’s plans to sign with the Atlanta Braves have reportedly been put on a back burner following his recent novel coronavirus diagnosis.

Yasiel Puig, who is popularly referred to as “The Wild Horse,” is a professional baseball outfielder who has remained a free agent following his COVID-19 diagnosis.

According to NBC Sports, Yasiel made it known that he tested positive for the novel coronavirus when he released a statement on social media. Through the statement, the 29-year-old disclosed that he was feeling “absolutely fine” and encouraged people to “take this pandemic seriously.”

[Yasiel Puig] last grabbed people’s attention in April following his claim that some teams, such as the Miami Marlins, had sent him offers to join them for the 2020 season.

While his disclosure earned him sympathy from his fans, it cost him his reported move to the Atlanta Braves. Some major league insiders have claimed that Yasiel would no longer be signing with the Braves as he was yet to enter an official agreement with the team.

Negotiations between the right fielder and the Braves were supposed to move to the next level if he tested negative for COVID-19. Yasiel has been making headway since he made his Major League Baseball debut in 2013.

USA Today reported that he spent the first six years of his career as a right fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 29-year-old then spent last year between playing for the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians.

The 2014 All-Star baseball player successfully hit 24 home runs with 19 stolen bases in the same year. During his appearance in 861 career games, Yasiel has made a .277 average, a .823 OPS, and 132 home runs.

Forbes recalled that during the early days of the off-season, there were speculations that Yasiel would sign with the San Francisco Giants.

Even though Yasiel was familiar with the President of Baseball Operations, Farhan Zaidi, the deal never materialized, thus making him the last unsigned player in a class full of free agents.

Earlier this month, CBS Sports added that the Baltimore Orioles had plans to sign and had even made an offer to Yasiel. The baseball player last grabbed people’s attention in April following his claim that some teams, such as the Miami Marlins, had sent him offers to join them for the 2020 season.