When the Los Angeles Dodgers officially opened Summer Camp at Dodger Stadium earlier this month, AJ Pollock was among the several players who was not yet with the team. The absences were not explained by manager Dave Roberts or the team, but some players have individually shed light on their respective situations.
Pollock chose to do so upon reporting to camp one week behind his teammates, revealing the delayed arrival was due to contracting the coronavirus (COVID-19). Pollock experienced multiple symptoms, including headaches, body aches, congestion and loss of smell.
“It was a wild ride,” Pollock said. Beyond the challenge of recovering from the virus was Pollock and his wife Kate were in the midst of daily hospital visits to check on their daughter who was born three months premature.
Considering the couple had to be cautious because of Maddi Mae’s condition, the Pollocks quarantined at home whenever not in the hospital. Thus, it was during visits to see Maddi that AJ believe he fell ill.
While the 32-year-old had support from his wife to play this season, he admitted it was difficult leaving her behind in Arizona. AJ and Kate reunited over the weekend and it was reason for celebration as they were cleared to take Maddi home.
“So far she’s done great,” Pollock recently said. “She had a little eye scare about a month ago and they were wondering if they would have to do a procedure, but she’s totally fine. She looks like a normal baby. If I didn’t tell you she was born 24 weeks, you wouldn’t think anything of it.
“Very grateful, she’s pretty cute, so it’s been a lot of fun. We’ve been very lucky to this point and it would be amazing if she keeps continuing and we could share her story with people going through it.”
Pollock added the final hurdle that needed to be cleared before Maddi could be released from the hospital. Images he shared on Instagram show Maddi still has a feeding tube to assist with eating.
Pollock was not with the team for Saturday’s game with the San Francisco Giants, but Roberts said he is in the lineup at designated hitter for the series finale. The club did not reveal Pollock’s absence Saturday in the interest of competitive advantage.
On-field outlook
Roberts has previously forecasted Pollock is likely to split time with Joc Pederson in left field and otherwise serve as DH.
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