Red Sox's Hernandez, Arroyo 'out for an extended period' due to COVID-19

COVID-19 is still a real threat to the MLB schedule. 

Ahead of Friday's game at the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed that infielder Enrique Hernandez is out indefinitely after testing positive for the coronavirus. Additionally, second baseman Christian Arroyo was added to the COVID-19 injured list after being deemed a close contact of Hernandez's. 

In corresponding roster moves, Boston recalled infielders Yairo Munoz and Jonathan Arauz from Triple-A Worcester. 

"It’s something we’re dealing with in our world, outside our world, and I don’t want to say we’re lucky, but we’ve been OK throughout the season, but it happened," Cora said when speaking with reporters. "It’s happened to a lot of teams, so we’ve got to find a way to keep moving forward and keep playing good baseball." 

Cora added about Hernandez and Arroyo: "They’ll be out for an extended period." 

According to The Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Cora did not say if Hernandez is vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Per ESPN stats, Hernandez is batting .258 with 17 home runs and 51 RBI on the year. Arroyo, meanwhile, is batting .264 with six homers and 25 RBI. 

Boston began Friday at 73-56 and holding an American League wild-card playoff berth.