Outfielder Adam Haseley has reported to Phillies summer camp
At least three of the seven Philadelphia Phillies that were previously absent from summer camp due to COVID-19 protocols in South Philadelphia have now reported.
Following closer Hector Neris and potential Opening Day starting pitcher Aaron Nola on Sunday and Monday, respectively, outfielder Adam Haseley made an appearance at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.
Haseley never tested positive, nor came in contact with someone that did, according to general manager Matt Klentak, who cited “lab error” as the only reason he was not in camp. Haseley was told on Saturday that there was an error in his initial test and that a follow-up test was needed, according to FOX29’s Kristen Rodgers. Due to the July 4th holiday weekend, Haseley was not able to be re-tested until Monday at 8 a.m.; finally, he was cleared on Tuesday.
Now, just non-roster invitee catcher Christian Bethancourt, utility player Scott Kingery, right-handed reliever Tommy Hunter, and southpaw Ranger Suarez have yet to report, with less than three weeks until Opening Day, July 24 at home against the Miami Marlins.
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Last year in his rookie season, Haseley, 24, slashed .266/.324/.396 with 14 doubles, five home runs, 26 RBI, 14 walks and 60 strikeouts spanning 67 games and 242 plate appearances. The Orlando, Florida, native fielded all three outfield positions, where across 131 combined chances, he committed only one error while recording 126 putouts and four assists.
Haseley and speedy outfielder Roman Quinn are expected to platoon out in center field this season.
The Phillies do not have much leeway to comment on why players are absent from camp due to HIPAA and protocols agreed upon MLB and the MLBPA.
On Sunday, Phillies manager Joe Girardi noted to the media that he does not want assumptions made about the players’ health if they are away from the team.
“I know this is difficult on you. It’s difficult on me. Because of HIPAA laws and Major League protocols, we’re not allowed to announce whether someone is positive,” Girardi said. “I get the question all the time. I think the assumption is when I say a guy is out for a medical condition that he has COVID. And that is not necessarily always the case.”
“I’m not trying to be secretive. This is just the protocol I’ve been asked to follow.”
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Girardi continued that there are several different reasons why certain players have not yet reported to camp. For Nola, in particular, he said on Monday that he was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. For Haseley, it was something as simple as never receiving results. It is a case-by-case basis.
“Sometimes certain tests take longer than others,” Girardi added. “We don’t have any reason why. Sometimes it could be through contact tracing. It was four steps removed, but A was with B, B was with C, C was with D and D was with E, so now we have to maybe make sure that E is OK.”
“It could be another medical condition that could be someone in their family that I’m not allowed to talk about as well.”
Girardi concluded that it is unfortunate that he cannot be more direct, but that he does not want an assumption being made that someone is always positive when a player is absent from the team.
“I’m not trying to mislead anyone,” he said.
Signs are pointing in the right direction that at least three of the Phillies’ seven players absent from camp are now back with the team. For Haseley, Neris, and Nola, in particular, they all could be used right out of the gate of the 60-game sprint come July 24. Getting Kingery back would be a huge plus, too.
The Phillies’ first of at least two exhibition games are scheduled for Saturday, July 18.