Twins SS Simmons goes on COVID-related injury list

Chris Long
Minnesota Twins' Andrelton Simmons walks back to the dugout after striking out to end the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Detroit. [(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)]

The Twins placed shortstop Andrelton Simmons on the COVID-related injury list Wednesday, according to manager Rocco Baldelli.

The announcement came prior to the Twins doubleheader against Boston.

President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey confirmed Simmons tested positive for COVID-19, and that he is experiencing mild symptoms.

Utility-player J.T Riddle takes Simmons’ place on the active roster. He had been with the Twins alternate training site in St. Paul.

Outfielder Alex Kirilloff is also active as the additional 27th player for the doubelheader. He could make his regular season Twins debut, after appearing in the postseason last year.

A player can be placed on the MLB COVID-related injury list for either testing positive or having close contact with someone who is positive.

There is no minimum duration a player must remain on the COVID-related list.

Last month, Simmons tweeted he would not receive the coronavirus vaccine.

Simmons is in his first season with the Twins, having signed as a free agent in the offseason.