Scott Servais, Manny Acta sidelined due to COVID as Seattle Mariners take on Texas

SEATTLE — Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais and third base coach Manny Acta have both tested positive for COVID-19 and will be away from the team beginning with Wednesday’s game against the Texas Rangers.

First base coach Kristopher Negron will serve as the acting manager. Negron managed Seattle’s Triple-A affiliate last season before joining the major league staff this year.

Seattle added Tacoma coach Zach Vincej, hitting coordinator C.J. Gillman and special assignment coordinator Dan Wilson to the bench as assistants for Wednesday’s game.

Seattle is experiencing a growing number of COVID-19 cases impacting the franchise. It also placed right-hander Paul Sewald on the COVID-19 injured list on Wednesday, joining outfielder Mitch Haniger and catcher/designated hitter Luis Torrens. The contract of right-hander Penn Murfee was selected from Triple-A Tacoma to take Sewald’s roster spot.

In addition to the players, Servais said Tuesday that several other staff members had tested positive in recent days. Servais wore a mask during his pregame media availability on Tuesday when announcing Torrens’ positive test.

“I want to try and take all precautions. With the protocols MLB has in place, we don’t want to start losing more players,” Servais said Tuesday.