4:03pm: These four players were indeed placed on the COVID-19 injured list, per Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). That does not necessarily mean that the players have tested positive for the virus; the list also houses players that have shown symptoms consistent with infection or that have had contact with someone else that is infected.
1:54pm: The Phillies appear to have placed four players on the 10-day injured list. While the team has yet to make a formal announcement, the MLB.com transactions page indicates that Scott Kingery, Hector Neris, Tommy Hunter and Ranger Suarez have all been placed on the IL. No reason was listed.
Given the lack of a formal announcement and the lack of specified injuries, there’s bound to be speculation about COVID-19 among these four players. The league has already made clear that teams will not be required to name players who go on the injured list for COVID-19 reasons. In a statement to ESPN’s Marly Rivera yesterday, MLB offered the following:
Because COVID-19 is not considered an employment-related injury, we will respect the privacy of the players who test positive or who are under evaluation, and we will defer to their wishes regarding public updates about their status. Without their voluntary permission, we will not disclose any COVID-19 related information.
It should be emphasized that a player does not need to test positive for the virus to be placed on the IL for COVID-19. Players exhibiting symptoms and those who have come into contact with people who’ve tested positive can also be placed on the IL for precautionary reasons. Once on the IL for a positive COVID-19 test or for symptoms/contact reasons, a player will need to twice test negative in order to be reinstated.
Additional context may eventually come to light, but for now we know that the Phillies have several key players sidelined until at least the end of next week (the IL placements are retroactive to June 30). Kingery is expected to fill an everyday role in the infield this year, although his superlative defensive skills would allow skipper Joe Girardi to plug him virtually anywhere on the diamond while providing solid glovework. Neris entered the season as the clear closer in Philadelphia, and the veteran Hunter would’ve filled a setup role. Suarez gave the Phils 48 2/3 frames of 3.14 ERA out of the bullpen last year and had positioned himself as an important member of the staff as well.
An extended absence for Kingery could conceivably open the door for top third base prospect Alec Bohm (with Jean Segura manning second base). Non-roster veterans like Neil Walker, Logan Forsythe and Josh Harrison are also in the Phillies’ 60-man player pool. Absent the three arms that were placed on the IL, an already injury-plagued bullpen would become even more problematic. It’s not clear who’d step into the ninth inning should Neris be unavailable, but the trio of Neris, Suarez and Hunter could all play vital late-inning roles in 2020, health permitting.
I’m sure they are hamstring pulls
@matt_breen
The Phillies placed today on the IL – Scott Kingery, Tommy Hunter, Hector Neris, & Ranger Suarez – were placed on the COVID-19 Injured List
Perhaps it’s premature to speculate but does “no reason giving” equal C-19? I’m seeing it with other team’s players today as well. Toronto has a few.
It’s prob safe to assume so
actually its very likely. one of the Philly radio hosts said Hunter told them he had it.
Those guys need some ointment for their sore little bottoms
No reason given = covid
Tommy Hunter = DL
So does the 10DL have any roster consequences at this point?
“not nessicarily positive” yet IL placements in the offseason are not needed. i can read between the lines.
Not providing a reason leads to more mistrust by fans.
HIPPA laws are in place unless the player gives the information out…
This particular situation makes me wonder if teams will start being more discrete about why players are going on IL. When you make a habit of telling everyone every single small reason someone is on the IL, then when something like this pops up, it makes it pretty easy to read between the lines…
HIPAA
hoenstly rhe most discrete thing to do would be have one IL and just not disclose the reason for any player hitting the IL unless its something like TJ.
Off topic a bit, but has a schedule for each team been released yet?
Yes, the pitchers are shopping at Target and the batters are shopping at Walmart. ;-)
I needed a good laugh! Thanks
The answer as to who should fill in for Hector Neris, should he miss time, is Vinny Velasquez. Nick Pivetta and Spencer Howard would occupy the last two spots of the 6-man rotation. No openers unless absolutely necessary. The bullpen is clearly the weakest link on this club.
no Pivetta. Damon/Rosso can piggyback.
Think you gotta roll with Pivetta and let him sink or swim. I’d take De los Santos before Rosso.
Pivetta sunk a long time ago
2 of the most important bullpen pieces, and one of the most valuable multi-position players. Yikes. This is fine.
they’ll be back in a week or two are were throwing before and will probably throw though it. what really angers me is Ranger might not take that rotation spot from VV now.
VV has to go to the pen, he has to. Look at his statistics the second and third time through the order. It’s something like .350/.440/.720. Girardi isn’t dumb enough to run VV out there unless it’s to “open”. The Phillies badly need a RH set up guy.
While I don’t disagree, the team needs starters.VV is sadly one of the better options for a 4th of 5th starter. I really don’t want to see the Pivetta experiment again.
Think the Phils brass, and many fans, cant shake the memory of that magical game in April 2016. He will never do that again. Ever.
everyone has. that doesnt make Pivetta better though. to be honest VV’s worse games rival Pivetta’s best
Does this mean EVERY player who was in contact with them (ie. the ENTIRE team!) will now be placed on the IL until they test negative twice? Come on, cancel this already.
I guess it’s hard to maintain privacy when someone goes on the injured list.
At least the NHL’s system of only announcing an upper or lower body injury works for this.
Upper body injury.
These Philly players are party animals. They need to stop partying down. That’s probably why they’re infected. Cuz they’re going out and can’t control themselves
This seasons going to be a joke and whoever wins the ship will have an asterisk by it.
I think in the future it will be known as an astro-isk
now that’s a good one
The playoff teams will be the teams least ravaged by covid. Teams will probably just allow positive tested players to play, if they feel up to it.
I believe the Phillies are equipped to make a run during this abbreviated season. The starters can work deeper into games in a short season and Cutch, Bruce and others are back to fulls strength. The front office I’m sure, is looking for bullpen help right now. I’d be on the phone with Baltimore and Pittsburgh in regards to Givens and Kela.
Oh my god, just cancel the season – this is way too much