Baltimore Orioles: Dwight Smith Rejoins Team After COVID-19 Diagnosis

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Baltimore Orioles Dwight Smith Jr.was the only name in the news as he battled players from other teams in the MLB the Show tournament.

The Baltimore Orioles outfielder was the Cinderella Story in the video-game tournament, making it to the tourney playoffs managing an Orioles team that closely resembles the one that will take the field in 2020.

His dedication to the Orioles was the reason why it seemed so odd that he had not yet arrived at Summer Camp at Camden Yards.

As of a few days ago, Anthony Santander and Smith were the only two Orioles who were MIA. Santander arrived a few days ago and revealed that he tested positive for COVID-19 and had a few mild symptoms.

Jon Meoli shared news about Smith in an article in The Baltimore Sun. Smith was one of the 80 MLB players who tested positive for COVID-19. Smith said about his health during his quarantine:

"“I felt pretty normal. I felt like it was a common cold. If anything, I felt sick for like a couple days. But other than that, I didn’t feel any symptoms. I felt normal, and everybody around me was healthy."

Smith spent the off-season and the shutdown with his family in Georgia, but returned to Baltimore to start summer camp. He spent his quarantine time in Baltimore with his family. He rejoined the team on Friday, and told Joe Trezza of MLB.com:

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"“I feel great now and I’m ready to get ready for the season. I feel like I know how to get my body ready in enough time and last year kind of prepared me for that to get ready.”"

With less than a week left before the season begins, Smith might not be ready for Opening Day. However, the fit outfielder could make his first appearance in the Home Opener on July 29 against the Marlins.

In 2019, Smith hit .241/.297/.412 in 101 games. He hit 13 home runs and had 53 RBI. The Orioles acquired him in a trade with the Blue Jays for international slot money.

The Orioles front office decided not to share the COVID-19 status of any player. So if other players test positive, it is up to them to share details with the media.