After Phillies GM Matt Klentak announced that Scott Kingery tested positive for COVD-19, our very own Jim Salisbury snagged an exclusive interview with the Phillies INF. Salisbury shares what Kingery has went through.
Phillies second baseman Scott Kingery, who was hit hard by coronavirus, rejoined his teammates and went through a workout at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday.
Kingery took batting practice and did some fielding and throwing drills. He did not play in the team’s intrasquad game.
“I feel good physically,” Kingery said. “I’ll keep easing into things for a couple of days. I hope to get some live at-bats soon then get into a (intrasquad) game.”
It remains to be seen if Kingery will be ready to play when the season opens in 12 days. He believes he can be.
“I’m in pretty good baseball shape,” he said. “I’m just going to need to get into a live game and feel it out a little bit.”
Manager Joe Girardi said it was too early to tell whether Kingery would be ready for the opener. He said he would have a better idea where Kingery stood in a few days.
"I don't want him to end up on the injured list if his legs aren't ready," Girardi said.
MLB
The Phils have a number of veterans -- Josh Harrison, Logan Forsythe, Phil Gosselin and Neil Walker -- who can all play second base if Kingery isn't ready.
Kingery’s battle with coronavirus started on June 11. He has been healthy for more than two weeks but could not travel from his hometown of Phoenix to Philadelphia until he tested negative for the virus twice. His second negative test came back Wednesday afternoon and he took a red eye to Philadelphia that night. He arrived early Thursday morning.
Shortly after arriving in Philadelphia, Kingery was checked out by doctors. His exam included an EKG.
“They wanted to look at my heart and see if anything got messed up from COVID,” Kingery said.
All was good.
“It’s been a month-long process to get back on the field,” Kingery said. “I’m glad to be back.”
Kingery, who experienced shortness of breath when he was ill, experimented wearing a mask during drills in the field. He found it a little difficult to breathe with the mask. He’s not sure if he will continue to wear one in the field, but definitely will in the clubhouse and when around others.
Kingery knows how rugged coronavirus can be. He’s committed to following protocols.
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