CLEVELAND -- Boston Red Sox infielder Kike Hernandez has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be sidelined indefinitely.
Manager Alex Cora said Hernandez is experiencing symptoms. He'll be placed on the COVID-19 list along with second baseman Christian Arroyo, who had close contact with Hernandez.
"They'll be out for an extended period of time," Cora said Friday night before the Red Sox, who are in the thick of the playoff race, opened a three-game series against the Indians with a 4-3 win.
Cora would not divulge whether Hernandez is vaccinated.
Infielders Yairo Munoz and Jonathan Arauz were recalled from Triple-A and inserted into Friday's lineup. Arauz hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning to give Boston a lead it would not relinquish.
With COVID-19 cases on the rise across the country, MLB teams have seen a recent jump in infections as well.
"It's something we're dealing with in our world, and outside our world. I don't want to say that we're lucky that we've been OK throughout the season, but it just happened," Cora said. "It's happened to a lot of teams and we've got to find a way to keep moving forward and keep playing good baseball."
Cora said he's confident the Red Sox have been vigilant in following protocols.
"We're doing a good job," Cora said. "This is just what we're fighting against. It's not Kike's fault. He's been great in taking care of his family. ... It's something we can't control. We're fighting an invisible enemy and it just happened that he tested positive."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
