By Sam Bush
The Phils today begin their three-week training period at Citizens Bank Park and the fields across the street at FDR Park.
The Phils have set a 54-man roster for camp — it can grow to 60 — but at least four players will not be there. Second baseman Scott Kingery and pitchers Hector Neris, Ranger Suarez and Tommy Hunter have all been placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Tuesday, and won’t be eligible to return until late next week at the earliest.
No reason was given for placing any of the four players on the IL — baseball-related injuries are usually disclosed — and that is essentially confirmation that the four are dealing with something related to COVID-19 — either a positive test, symptoms of the virus or possibly human contact with someone who has already been infected.
“What I can tell you is they’re on the injured list, and that’s about all I can tell you,” manager Joe Girardi told the media yesterday. “MLB has given protocols on how to handle it.”
The Phillies placed today on the IL – Scott Kingery, Tommy Hunter, Hector Neris, & Ranger Suarez – were placed on the COVID-19 Injured List.
Players can be placed on the list if they test positive, show symptoms, or have contact with an infected person.
— Matt Breen (@matt_breen) July 2, 2020
