Phillies News: “Lab Error”, More Positive Tests, and an Opt-Out?

Phillies general manager Matt Klentak met with the media on Tuesday afternoon with a variety of updates about the Phillies club.  There were a couple surprises, including one missing test result, some coaches testing positive and one player considering stepping aside for the 2020 season.

Phillies pitcher Hector Neris was one of the players placed on the 10-day injured list on July 1, ahead of Summer Camp.  Neris was seen at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, leading to speculation that he would return soon.  Klentak stated that Neris is "feeling great and ready to go".

Additionally, center fielder Adam Haseley is back in camp. Haseley gave Klentak permission to speak about his absence.  Haseley never tested positive for COVID-19, nor did he come into contact with anyone who did.  In fact, Haseley's absence was due to what Klentak called a "lab error".

"He took his test as part of the intake screening process last week.  The test was sent in with the rest of the tests and we never received a result from that", Klentak said. "We're not pointing any fingers but that's the reason his arrival in camp was delayed.  He had no result in his test... it was really no issue whatsoever".

Haseley was retested and the test came up negative.

Klentak reported that three coaches tested positive for COVID-19:bench coach Rob Thomson, bullpen coach Jim Gott and catching coach Greg Brodzinski. All three were asymptomatic and Klentak reports them to be in recovery.

After testing positive, both second baseman Scott Kingery and reliever Tommy Hunter are "feeling 100% and are ready to go".  They are going through the process of re-testing and would be scheduled to be cleared to play soon.

Also testing positive for COVID-19 was non-roster invitee Mikie Mahtook.  During the intake screening he learned of the positive test.  Klentak said he is feeling good and "itching to go".

Reliever Francisco Liriano has been absent from camp the last few days.  Klentak says that he is evaluating whether he wishes to play in the 2020 season or not.  Klentak said that he was unsure when he might decide, but just knows he is "evaluating" the circumstances.