The Phillies’ Aaron Nola, Adam Haseley, and Christian Bethancourt have yet to report to summer camp
Three more Philadelphia Phillies players have reportedly been added to the COVID-19 Injured List, in addition to Scott Kingery, Tommy Hunter, Hector Neris, and Ranger Suarez. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Matt Breen on Saturday evening, presumed Phillies Opening Day starting pitcher Aaron Nola, centerfielder Adam Haseley, and non-roster invitee catcher Christian Bethancourt have also been placed on the list.
These players reportedly testing positive for COVID-19 coincides with a report last month that said seven players and five staff had the virus; six of the players were using the team’s Clearwater, Florida, training facility. Of course, it is not known if these exact seven players are the same as the seven initially reported.
Update, July 4, 9 p.m.: Breen issued a correction in that Nola has not been placed on the COVID-19 list, but, rather has been kept away from summer camp “because of COVID-19 protocols.” Haseley and Bethancourt are also not reportedly on the list (yet); all three either: tested positive, showed symptoms, came in contact with an infected person, or “have missing or inconclusive test results.” Still, seven players remain missing from camp due to COVID-19.
Players can be added to the injured list if they test positive, show symptoms, or come in contact with someone infected with COVID-19. Now, for any of the seven Phillies added to this list to return, they must quarantine for two weeks, show no symptoms, and test negative twice.
Breen says that a positive test has been estimated to keep a player off the field for three to six weeks. For pitchers, in particular, the latter end of the range is likely.
Now, with less than three weeks until Opening Day, Nola repeating as the Phillies’ Opening Day starter for the third consecutive season appears unlikely. Zack Wheeler is the next in line, however he could leave at any time later this month to go on the paternity list for the birth of his child. Therefore, Jake Arrieta could receive the next look if Wheeler is unable to go, or, perhaps the team’s top pitching prospect, Spencer Howard.
The 60-game season, slated to begin on July 24, is fast approaching., Now, the Phillies are without their No. 1 starter, a potential fifth starter, their closer, starting centerfielder and second baseman, as well as a late-inning reliever in their bullpen.
The Phillies now have 10 open spots for their player pool, whose 50 players consists of five catchers, nine infielders, eight outfielders and 28 pitchers.
There is no current timetable for the those on the team’s COVID-19 injured list to return.