The Los Angeles Dodgers held a third day of workouts during Spring Training 2.0 on Sunday, which culminated with playing their first intrasquad game. Although several players are in full swing with preparing for the 2020 season, Kenley Jansen and AJ Pollock are not among them.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said neither Jansen nor Pollock has reported for Summer Camp. “I know the last couple months he’s been active and moving around, but we haven’t seen him yet,” Roberts said.
“I’m not at liberty to disclose (the reason behind Jansen’s absence). I have talked to Kenley a couple times in the last week and I’m hopeful we’ll see him soon.”
With respect to Pollock, Roberts said, “The plan is to get him into camp soon as well.” Though, he could not forecast which day Jansen or Pollock would join their teammates for workouts at Dodger Stadium.
As managers across the league remain vague on players who aren’t yet able to take the field for team activities, the natural assumption jumps to it being related to a coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
However, fact of the matter is it could also stem from a simple delay in receiving results. Washington Nationals relief pitcher Sean Doolittle raised that concern, as he has twice been tested without the results being provided.
“I’m very confident in the testing that we’re doing. The CDC is working with Major League Baseball, and the Dodgers with what we’re doing specifically,” Roberts said. “It’s not an exact science as far as when you get it back.
“It’s certainly not ideal for some players but I think our guys are doing a great job of handling it and taking it in stride. Some guys get their results earlier than others. It’s not ideal, but the people that have the responsibility of watching out for our safety are doing the best they can.”
Despite undergoing multiple heart surgeries, Jansen has downplayed having any concerns with being on the active roster amid a pandemic. Meanwhile, Pollock did previously acknowledge he would need to give some thought to possibly opting out because his wife recently gave berth prematurely.
Dave Roberts joins chorus of support for David Price
The Dodgers issued a statement in the wake of David Price announcing his decision to opt out of the 2020 season, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman reiterated that stance.
Ross Stripling also expressed an understanding with Price putting a priority on family, and so too did Roberts.
“You have to respect his decision to sit out,” he said. “I know he put something out there on social media and wished his teammates and fans well. I just hope he has peace of mind and knows that we support him.”
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