Salt Lake City doesn’t have an MLB team, but it’s now the league’s most important city

Texas Rangers-
By Jeff Wilson
Published: July 1, 2020

The first significant task for the Texas Rangers ahead of spring training 2.0 and the 2020 MLB season is underway.

Many of the 55 members of the club’s player pool have started what the 2020 operating manual calls intake testing, which is fancy talk for administering COVID-19 tests and taking blood samples for antibody tests.

All on-field personnel and those who will come in contact with on-field personnel — baseball calls them covered individuals — must report for testing no later than Wednesday.

That’s a lot of tests, between 1,600-1,800 just for players, who then must wait in quarantine 24-48 hours until the results are back.

The first full-squad workout is scheduled for Friday, but, depending on the test results, it might not feature the full squad.

“I’m hoping that we’re OK,” manager Chris Woodward said. “But I think throughout baseball, we’re going to see, obviously, a few positives. We’re going to have to deal with that when it happens.”

But there’s much more to the testing than meets the eye.

For instance, the samples are sent via overnight mail to Salt Lake City. Yes, the one in Utah.

That goes for all tests across baseball, not just the Rangers’ samples.

Why Salt Lake City? That’s the home of the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL), which is converting a portion of its anti-doping lab to handle COVID-19 testing for the league.

MLB wanted only one lab to do the majority of the testing so as to not take away from local facilities handling cases of the general public around the rest of the country.

Not every test during spring training or the season will go to Utah, but most will. A smaller number of other cities throughout the league will also be used.

Players will be required to keep their saliva in their mouths at all times

Players will be required to keep their saliva in their mouths at all times. | PHOTO: LOUIS DELUCA/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Salt Lake City doesn’t have an MLB team, but it’s now the league’s most important city

Texas Rangers-
By Jeff Wilson
Published: July 1, 2020

The first significant task for the Texas Rangers ahead of spring training 2.0 and the 2020 MLB season is underway.

Many of the 55 members of the club’s player pool have started what the 2020 operating manual calls intake testing, which is fancy talk for administering COVID-19 tests and taking blood samples for antibody tests.

All on-field personnel and those who will come in contact with on-field personnel — baseball calls them covered individuals — must report for testing no later than Wednesday.

That’s a lot of tests, between 1,600-1,800 just for players, who then must wait in quarantine 24-48 hours until the results are back.

The first full-squad workout is scheduled for Friday, but, depending on the test results, it might not feature the full squad.

“I’m hoping that we’re OK,” manager Chris Woodward said. “But I think throughout baseball, we’re going to see, obviously, a few positives. We’re going to have to deal with that when it happens.”

But there’s much more to the testing than meets the eye.

For instance, the samples are sent via overnight mail to Salt Lake City. Yes, the one in Utah.

That goes for all tests across baseball, not just the Rangers’ samples.

Why Salt Lake City? That’s the home of the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL), which is converting a portion of its anti-doping lab to handle COVID-19 testing for the league.

MLB wanted only one lab to do the majority of the testing so as to not take away from local facilities handling cases of the general public around the rest of the country.

Not every test during spring training or the season will go to Utah, but most will. A smaller number of other cities throughout the league will also be used.

Players will be required to keep their saliva in their mouths at all times

Players will be required to keep their saliva in their mouths at all times. | PHOTO: LOUIS DELUCA/ASSOCIATED PRESS

MLB picks Spectrum Solutions saliva collect kit

So, which test will be used? MLB has opted for the Spectrum Solutions saliva collect kit, though covered individuals might be subjected to the horrific-looking nasal test in which a long swab is pushed through a nostril into the sinuses. Deep into the sinuses.

Spectrum Solutions is the manufacturer and supplier of the first FDA-authorized saliva test. A covered individual will drop a fairly hefty supply of saliva into a tube. The tube is then sealed, which releases a stabilizing solution, and shaken for five seconds to get the sufficient saliva-solution mixture.

Any guess as to where Spectrum Solutions is based? In Draper, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City.

SMRTL is just up the road.

SMRTL, by the way, is also going to handle all private health information, in accordance with local laws and the federal biggie, HIPAA.

That leads to another question: Will MLB or its teams reveal if a player tests positive?

“That’s a great question,” a Rangers official said.

Teams reveal injuries during the season, either in discussing why a player will be out of the lineup a few days or the reason a player has hit the injury list.

Clubs will also update media on injuries at spring training, where there isn’t an IL. Some are small, but some are not — take Willie Calhoun’s broken jaw of a few months ago, for instance.

But MLB might have to consult with the MLB Players Association on how to reveal the results of players who test positive, especially for spring training. The union could convince players to waive their HIPAA rights.

Media will have limited access and won’t be able to tell if all players take part in the workout. There will be a COVID-19 injury list during the season, though the media might only be told an infected player is on the IL.

However, absent players will be easier to track.

An infected player, or any covered individual, will be in quarantine somewhere. If a Rangers player tests positive while on a road trip to, say, Colorado, he will stay in Colorado — where he should try Pietra’s (take out, of course) in Wheat Ridge for a delicious pizza or sausage pie — until declared COVID-free.

As Woodward said, players are going to test positive for COVID-19, whether on the Rangers or one of the other 29 teams.

Salt Lake City will be a busy place.

Spectrum's CEO and COO in background of photo with SDNA-1000 saliva DNA/RNA collection device

Bill Phillips, COO of Spectrum Solutions, left, and Stephen Fanning, CEO of Spectrum Solutions holding an SDNA-1000 saliva collection kit. ©Spectrum Solutions™ | Photo Credit: Leslie Titus Bryant

Salt Lake City doesn’t have an MLB team, but it’s now the league’s most important city

MLB picks Spectrum Solutions saliva collect kit

So, which test will be used? MLB has opted for the Spectrum Solutions saliva collect kit, though covered individuals might be subjected to the horrific-looking nasal test in which a long swab is pushed through a nostril into the sinuses. Deep into the sinuses.

Spectrum Solutions is the manufacturer and supplier of the first FDA-authorized saliva test. A covered individual will drop a fairly hefty supply of saliva into a tube. The tube is then sealed, which releases a stabilizing solution, and shaken for five seconds to get the sufficient saliva-solution mixture.

Any guess as to where Spectrum Solutions is based? In Draper, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City.

SMRTL is just up the road.

SMRTL, by the way, is also going to handle all private health information, in accordance with local laws and the federal biggie, HIPAA.

That leads to another question: Will MLB or its teams reveal if a player tests positive?

“That’s a great question,” a Rangers official said.

Teams reveal injuries during the season, either in discussing why a player will be out of the lineup a few days or the reason a player has hit the injury list.

Clubs will also update media on injuries at spring training, where there isn’t an IL. Some are small, but some are not — take Willie Calhoun’s broken jaw of a few months ago, for instance.

But MLB might have to consult with the MLB Players Association on how to reveal the results of players who test positive, especially for spring training. The union could convince players to waive their HIPAA rights.

Media will have limited access and won’t be able to tell if all players take part in the workout. There will be a COVID-19 injury list during the season, though the media might only be told an infected player is on the IL.

However, absent players will be easier to track.

An infected player, or any covered individual, will be in quarantine somewhere. If a Rangers player tests positive while on a road trip to, say, Colorado, he will stay in Colorado — where he should try Pietra’s (take out, of course) in Wheat Ridge for a delicious pizza or sausage pie — until declared COVID-free.

As Woodward said, players are going to test positive for COVID-19, whether on the Rangers or one of the other 29 teams.

Salt Lake City will be a busy place.

Spectrum's CEO and COO in background of photo with SDNA-1000 saliva DNA/RNA collection device

Bill Phillips, COO of Spectrum Solutions, left, and Stephen Fanning, CEO of Spectrum Solutions holding SDNA-1000 saliva collection kit. ©Spectrum Solutions™ | Photo Credit: Leslie Titus Bryant

Salt Lake City doesn’t have an MLB team, but it’s now the league’s most important city

Noninvasive
Saliva Diagnostics

This changes everything!

Saliva analysis looks at the cellular level, the biologically active compounds, making it a true representative of what is clinically relevant. Engineered to lead the saliva collection industry, the BioMAX™ delivers the safest and most robust biosample for the earliest detection and diagnosis of disease and infection.

Since 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, Spectrum’s saliva collection system not only introduced, it continues to expand the molecular diagnostics industry and its understanding of the opportunities saliva offers patients, providers, and laboratories.

  • Pain-free, non-invasive, & safe
  • Saliva contains the entire library of proteins, hormones, antibodies, and other molecular compounds measured in routine blood tests
  • First EUA-authorized saliva collection device for COVID-19 testing
  • No temperature-controlled storage or transport of collected biosamples
  • A single saliva sample provides opportunity for multiple tests
  • Months and years of post-collection stability with no degradation in sample efficacy (depending on the analyte)
  • Maintain critical bio-sample consistency
  • Mitigates any risk of viral infection throughout the testing process
  • Delivers the highest levels of testing accuracy using qualified extraction chemistries

BIOMAX Blister Pack Saliva Collection Device

Noninvasive
Saliva Diagnostics

This changes everything!

Saliva analysis looks at the cellular level, the biologically active compounds, making it a true representative of what is clinically relevant. Engineered to lead the saliva collection industry, the BioMAX™ delivers the safest and most robust biosample for the earliest detection and diagnosis of disease and infection.

Since 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic, Spectrum’s saliva collection system not only introduced, it continues to expand the molecular diagnostics industry and its understanding of the opportunities saliva offers patients, providers, and laboratories.

BIOMAX Blister Pack Saliva Collection Device

  • Pain-free, non-invasive, & safe
  • Saliva contains the entire library of proteins, hormones, antibodies, and other molecular compounds measured in routine blood tests
  • First EUA-authorized saliva collection device for COVID-19 testing
  • No temperature-controlled storage or transport of collected biosamples
  • A single saliva sample provides opportunity for multiple tests
  • Months and years of post-collection stability with no degradation in sample efficacy (depending on the analyte)
  • Maintain critical bio-sample consistency
  • Mitigates any risk of viral infection throughout the testing process
  • Delivers the highest levels of testing accuracy using qualified extraction chemistries
Major League Baseball Logo

Bringing Baseball Back!

How you collect saliva makes a big difference

Increase workplace safety and build team confidence with simple and safe repeat testing programs supporting 100% accurate early detection and easy direct-to-user at-home options. Just ask Major League Baseball. See how our saliva collection system is credited for bringing baseball back” and making Salt Lake “the league’s most important city”.

™/© 2020 MLB

Major League Baseball Logo

Bringing Baseball Back!

How you collect saliva makes a big difference

Increase workplace safety and build team confidence with simple and safe repeat testing programs supporting 100% accurate early detection and easy direct-to-user at-home options. Just ask the Major League Baseball. See how our saliva collection system is credited for bringing baseball back” and making Salt Lake “the league’s most important city”.

™/© 2020 MLB

About Spectrum Solutions®

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Spectrum Solutions is dedicated to empowering complete wellness and bridging the gap between science and innovative healthcare solutions. Our stand-alone and fully integrated test-to-treat solutions support molecular diagnostics and DTC testing applications, advancing product development and accelerating go-to-market applications. Our single-source, end-to-end capabilities include a CAP/CLIA accredited molecular diagnostic laboratory, onsite compounding pharmacy, medical and non-medical product development, manufacturing, and fulfillment.

#partoftheSolution

Leslie Titus Bryant Spectrum Solutions SpokesmanSpectrum Corporate Spokesman
Leslie Titus Bryant
Head of Marketing & Brand
admin@spectrumsolution.com

Tim Rush Public Relations, Springboard 5Media Contact
Tim Rush, Springboard5
801-208-1100
tim.rush@springboard5.com

About Spectrum Solutions®

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Spectrum Solutions is dedicated to empowering complete wellness and bridging the gap between science and innovative healthcare solutions. Our stand-alone and fully integrated test-to-treat solutions support molecular diagnostics and DTC testing applications, advancing product development and accelerating go-to-market applications. Our single-source, end-to-end capabilities include a CAP/CLIA accredited molecular diagnostic laboratory, onsite compounding pharmacy, medical and non-medical product development, manufacturing, and fulfillment.

#partoftheSolution

Leslie Titus Bryant Spectrum Solutions SpokesmanSpectrum Corporate Spokesman
Leslie Titus Bryant
Head of Marketing & Brand
admin@spectrumsolution.com

Tim Rush Public Relations, Springboard 5Media Contact
Tim Rush, Springboard5
801-208-1100
tim.rush@springboard5.com

We'd Love to Connect

#SpitMatters

We'd Love to Connect

#SpitMatters

Outside-of-the-Box Thinking, Inside-of-the-Box Clinical Innovation

Anywhere from customized testing solutions to new medical science product innovations–we’re here to help.

Outside-of-the-Box Thinking, Inside-of-the-Box Innovation

Anywhere from customized testing solutions to new medical science product innovations–we’re here to help.

2023-02-21T17:11:34+00:00
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