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Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander acknowledged Wednesday morning that he tested positive for Covid-19 and was quarantined for two weeks. Santander had been absent from Orioles’ summer training since it started on July 3, returning on Tuesday.
Another outfielder, Dwight Smith Jr., also has not participated in workouts. The Orioles said that if any players tested positive for the coronavirus, they would let them decide if they wanted to discuss it. No official explanation has been given for Smith’s absence.
Santander was tested on July 1. He said he’s not contagious and had mild symptoms.
“It was a surprise,” Santander said in a video conference call on Wednesday. He added that he had been experiencing symptoms for the last 3 1/2 weeks and had a fever for two days.
“Now, I have to work to try to get ready as soon as possible,” he said. Santander hopes to be ready for the July 24th opener against the Boston Red Sox, although manager Brandon Hyde expressed concern that he would be ready by then.
“Stay healthy, and I just have to build up, little-by-little,” Santander said. “I will do everything I can to be ready, see live pitches, playing some intrasquad, try to get ready.”
On Tuesday, the first day Santander was allowed to work out, he participated in some drills.
“Tony looked good yesterday,” Hyde said. “He took some batting practice, we did some light outfielder stuff, so pretty light workout. He’ll go through it again today, kind of similar, where he’s taking coaches’ batting practice, doing some cage stuff, doing some outfield drills, but happy with how he looked, and looked good today.
“We’ll continue to ramp him up. He tracked in the bullpen, also, to help get his timing back as fast as possible. He’ll continue to do that as well. He’ll be facing some live pitching shortly.”
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Really excited to watch this young man this year. When healthy, this guy has done nothing but mash the pelota since his arrival from the Indian's organization. (for those of you haters of Danny Duqs rule 5 habits, remember that how we got this guy when he breaks out) If there is a future all star on the current squad, this is most likely the guy. He's just got that look about him. Add him to Sisco & Hays, and I believe the O's have the start of something here. Dump Crush, put Mountcastle in the position that best suits him, and I think we may have ½ of decent lineup THIS YEAR.
Mix in some of the young pitchers along with the potential of Diaz, Rutschman, Gunnar and Hall over the next couple of years, and we may be on to something.
In the meantime, here is to a healthy 60 for Santander and the rest of the outfield studs this year. Also, here's to just hoping that the Covid doesn't put the kabosh on this mini-season.
Go O's!!
Gotta agree with you, good looking future, starting now, get rid of CD, let him coach 1st, get Mountcastle & plug him in at 1B...go O’s...
I'm thinking Davis could somehow manage to strike out looking even while coaching 1st base. (that's a joke Onesy)
(BTW ....are not the on field coaches verboten this year?)
I wouldnt say Santander has done nothing but mash since getting here. He had a strong july and august last year and that’s about it. Other than that hes been below league average across the board. That being said I have faith he’s at least an average MLB regular. He needs to bring his OBP up tho.
When healthy, (healthy being the key word) he tore up AA ball as well over the past several years.
True he cooled on in September last year, but all in all, I'd stand behind my 'mashing' adjective for the year. If he had started the year in Baltimore, (he came up in very late May) he more than likely would have reached the 30 HR / 30 doubles plateau. In what was basically his 1st year in the majors, I'd say that he acquitted himself well above average.
Boog - you are overflowing with enthusiasm for Santander!! I like your optimism and hope he plays up to your extremely high standards. In the meantime I’m just happy for the man that he no longer has COVID.
Hey Tex Long time no hear from. One of our BB.com charter members no less!
FYI..have retired to the motherland and am a neighbor of yours living in Paris.
Go Cowboys!
Honestly have no idea about base coaches...guess I could see it either way...go O’s...
Sorry to rain on some of your guys parade but CD is gonna be on the roster for 3 more seasons. If he’s not it will be his decision.
No rain, he’s under contract, they can release him but still gotta pay him, my guess w/Angelos track record they won’t eat his contract, they’ve such a log jam at 1st they’re keeping the future off the roster...go O’s...
Wouldn’t it be great if Crash hits in the 60 games and some team will pick him up for the playoffs and maybe make a deal to split his contract
Bruce ... I'm with you on that thought. It would be great.
That would be great, don’t see it happening though...go O’s...