Marlins finally get back to playing ball tonight - maybe

After a nine-day layoff because of a COVID-19 outbreak, the Miami Marlins are ready to resume their season Tuesday night against the Orioles at Camden Yards.

But heavy rain and high winds, brought on by Tropical Storm Isaias skirting the East Coast, might make the Marlins wait another day. Winds of 35 mph and 3-5 inches of rain are expected in Baltimore, according to weather reports.

It's been that kind of season for the Marlins.

They played two exhibition games in Atlanta and started their season by winning two of three in Philadelphia.

They beat the Phillies on Sunday, July 26, but then were quarantined at their hotel in downtown Philadelphia after players and staff tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Marlins had 21 positive tests, including 18 by players, according to Major League Baseball and the players' union.

Since the outbreak, the Marlins have had to postpone four games against the Orioles - two in Miami and two in Baltimore - and a three-game home series against the Nationals.

The healthy members of the Marlins were cleared to travel to Baltimore and got a workout Monday at Camden Yards. Those who were infected left Philadelphia and traveled by bus to Miami, where there were still in quarantine.

Team chief executive officer Derek Jeter spoke to reporters for the first time Monday since the outbreak.

"Some of our traveling party had a false sense of security and comfort at how they handled themselves when they left Miami,'' Jeter said, according to the Miami Herald. "Guys were around each other until they relaxed and let their guard down.''

Jeter said there is no way to find out how the outbreak started, but he said the Marlins need to take responsibility for the outbreak and the fact that it made schedules difficult for five other teams.

"I hope this is a wake-up call for everybody,'' Jeter said.

Major League Baseball is trying to get every team 60 games in 66 days, and the Marlins being out for more than a week made schedules chaotic - and that's without possible issues with bad weather.

One new rule that helps define the craziness of the season is that doubleheaders will be two seven-inning games, saving time and pitching.

With their roster taking a big-time hit, the Marlins have been busy adding players to their roster, mainly pitchers, including Orioles lefty Richard Bleier.

They also acquired Pat Venditte, who throws both left- and right-handed, and infielder Logan Forsythe.

Venditte was with the Marlins in January, but didn't make their 60-man roster. He was released and was re-signed as a free agent.

The four-game series in Baltimore includes two makeup games the teams were scheduled to play in Miami. There is a doubleheader at 5:05 p.m. Wednesday.

The Orioles will be the home team for the first two games of the series. The Marlins will be the home team for the final two games.

Teams started the abbreviated season with 30-man rosters. On Thursday, rosters will be cut to 28, another hurdle for the Marlins.

Currently on the injured list are right-hander José Ureña, catcher Jorge Alfaro, outfielder Harold Ramirez and first baseman/designated hitter Garrett Cooper.