Baltimore Orioles: Answers on Anthony Santander’s Absence

The Baltimore Orioles front office told reporters that they will not share private COVID-19 test results with the media.

But, this decision by the Baltimore Orioles brass does not prevent players from sharing information about their testing status.

With HIPAA laws in place, it is completely understandable how the Orioles would not want to violate the laws and share personal health information with the general public.

As Anthony Santander joined the team two weeks after Summer Camp began, the silence from the team made fans wonder if the outfielder tested positive. And, as Dwight Smith, Jr. remains absent from training camp, could he have also received a positive test result?

Silence can be an answer, and apparently, Santander’s two-week absence was because of a positive COVID-19 test. The news came via Twitter from Dan Connolly and Santander himself:

The news was corroborated by Pat Valaika who was present when Santander received his positive test results. His comment was shared by Roch Kubatko:

Both Santander and Valaika share how receiving and seeing positive test results makes you remember how important it is to take necessary precautions, like wearing a mask.

In news from Joe Trezza, Santander did not just have a positive test, but he also had mild symptoms. This explains why the team was a bit worried about his playing shape when he returned to the field on Thursday.

With his symptoms beginning nearly a month ago, hopefully he did not put his fellow teammates at risk when he had his intake screening. If Valaika saw him on the day they took their intake tests, could he and other teammates have been exposed?

With all that is happening around the country and in the MLB regarding COVID-19, there are still questions about whether the MLB season will actually take place. In the AL Central, the Royals were without two catchers (Cam Gallagher and Salvador Perez) because of positive COVID testing. The Twins have five players who are currently out due to positive tests.

Players who test positive have to quarantine for 14 days, which could result in missing up to 23% of the 60 games in 2020. Those alternative-site players could become valuable assets in the short season.