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MLB slams Dodgers' Turner for celebrating World Series win despite positive COVID test

SHOWS:

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 27, 2020) (MUST ON SCREEN COURTESY Justin Dupree-Carter / NO RESALE)

1. DODGERS FANS FANS CELEBRATING IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

ARLINGTON, TEXAS, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 27, 2020) (USA TODAY - MUST COURTESY TIM HEITMAN/USA TODAY SPORTS) (MUTE)

2. STILL PHOTO SHOWING LOS ANGELES DODGERS THIRD BASEMAN JUSTIN TURNER (10) WEARING MASK, CELEBRATING WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S TROPHY AFTER THE DODGERS BEAT THE TAMPA BAY RAYS TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES IN GAME SIX OF THE 2020 WORLD SERIES

3. STILL PHOTO SHOWING TURNER WITH TROPHY

4. STILL PHOTO SHOWING TURNER HOISTING THE WORLD SERIES TROPHY OVER HIS HEAD

INTERNET (OCTOBER 28, 2020) (SOCIAL MEDIA WEBSITE - ACCESS ALL) (MUTE)

5. MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S STATEMENT ON JUSTIN TURNER'S PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD SERIES ON-FIELD CELEBRATION

ARLINGTON, TEXAS, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 27, 2020) (USA TODAY - MUST COURTESY CREDIT TIM HEITMAN/USA TODAY SPORTS)

6. TURNER HOISTING THE WORLD SERIES TROPHY OVER HIS HEAD

STORY: Major League Baseball (MLB) on Wednesday (October 28) issued a scathing rebuke to Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner after he returned to the field with his team mates after their World Series-clinching Game 6 win having tested positive for COVID-19.

Turner was removed from the field during the eighth inning and placed in isolation after MLB said it learned mid-game that he had tested positive for the coronavirus, which has ravaged the United States and claimed more than 220,000 lives across the country.

The 35-year-old returned to the field after their 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, offering hugs in the dugout, posing with the Commissioner's Trophy, and removing his mask while bunched together with team mates for a photograph.

"Turner chose to disregard the agreed-upon joint protocols and the instructions he was given regarding the safety and protection of others," MLB said in a statement.

"While a desire to celebrate is understandable, Turner's decision to leave isolation and enter the field was wrong and put everyone he came in contact with at risk.

"When MLB Security raised the matter of being on the field with Turner, he emphatically refused to comply."

The Dodgers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

MLB said it was opening an investigation into the incident. It was not immediately clear what, if any, disciplinary action Turner or his team would face.

"Last night, nasal swabs were conducted on the Dodgers' traveling party," MLB said. "Both the Rays and Dodgers were tested again today and their travel back to their home cities will be determined after being approved by the appropriate authorities."

The World Series capped a truncated and tumultuous season for MLB, which put its schedule on hold for weeks due to the pandemic and had numerous players and support staff test positive for COVID-19 after games started in July.

(Production: Peter Bullock)