Dodgers' Justin Turner Removed From World Series Game After Testing Positive for COVID-19 (UPDATE)

Despite tweeting that he "couldn’t be out there to celebrate" their World Series win, photos and videos showed Tuner returning to the field to do just that. 

justin turner covid trophy
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 27: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and his wife Kourtney Pogue, hold the Commissioners Trophy after the teams 3-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays in Game Six to win the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 27, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

justin turner covid trophy

On Tuesday night, Justin Turner of the Los Angeles Dodgers was removed from Game 6 of the World Series after his COVID-19 test results came back positive for the disease. Turner was pulled in the eighth inning of the game.

The Dodgers went on to beat the Tampa Bay Rays in Arlington, Texas to win the World Series. The Dodgers last won the World Series all the way back in 1988. Turner, who is 35, is the first MLB player to test positive in nearly two months. 

Dodgers in 6.
Lakers in 6.

LA takeover. 🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/wrjRnVGmid

News of Tuner's COVID-19 diagnosis wasn't revealed until after the game was finished. 

"Thanks to everyone reaching out! I feel great, no symptoms at all," Turner later wrote on Twitter. "Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine. Can’t believe I couldn’t be out there to celebrate with my guys! So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA."

Despite tweeting that he "couldn’t be out there to celebrate" it looks like Tuner returned to the field to do just that. 

ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Tuner's teammates will undergo rapid tests for the disease when they return to their hotel.

"It’s a bittersweet night for us," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said during a FOX interview following the game. "We’re glad to be done. I do think it’s a great accomplishment for our players to get this season completed, but obviously we’re concerned when any of our players test positive. We learned during the game that Justin was positive and immediately isolated him to prevent the spread."

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