Scott Kingery set to be ready for Opening Day

It looks like the Phillies will enter the 2020 season with their everyday lineup at full health.

After being sidelined with COVID-19 since last month, infielder Scott Kingery joined the Phillies at camp on Saturday. Kingery detailed his battle with the virus during press availability on Zoom.

He mentioned a slow onslaught of symptoms, starting with headaches and fatigue, working through to fever, chills and inability to taste or smell and culminating with shortness of breath.

The process of returning to baseball, though, took longer than after his symptoms subsided. Kingery needed two negative tests before flying from Arizona to Philadelphia, and in total, it took an entire month for him to return to the field.

Kingery noted how this process could impact a player who contracts the virus; it could keep them sidelined for half of the 60-game season. “It’s not just a two week thing because of all the protocols you’ve got to go through”, Kingery said.

While he mentioned he still suffers from some shortness of breath, Kingery appeared certain that he would be ready to go on Opening Day.

“I’ve been able to stay hitting and throwing and taking ground balls so as far as , just, being in baseball shape, I think I’m in pretty good baseball shape”, Kingery said. “I’m just gonna need to get in there in a live game and feel it out a little bit.”

The Phillies are still waiting on the return of other players who dealt with COVID-19, including relief pitcher Tommy Hunter and outfielder Mikie Mahtook. This will be something teams will have to continue to navigate in 2020, as COVID-19 could impact players across the league throughout the rest of the season.

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