Slugger ranger Joey Gallo has tested positive for COVID-19, general manager Jon Daniels tells reporters (Twitter link via Levi Weaver of The Athletic). Gallo initially tested positive on June 29, according to Daniels. And although she had a negative test in the following days, a second, more recent test came back positive. Gallo is currently asymptomatic, thankfully, but he will need two consecutive negative tests, more than 24 hours apart, before he is cleared to appear at the Rangers’ summer camp.
Gallo’s most recent test on July 2 came back negative yesterday, according to Weaver, so despite the fact that he’s showing no symptoms right now, it looks like he’ll be out for at least several more days. Gallo joins left-handed reliever Brett Martin as the second known positive test case from the Rangers. Martin, who is diabetic, tested positive last week and has been showing what the team called “mild” symptoms.
Gallo, 26, has become the centerpiece of the Rangers’ lineup. The 26-year-old served more than 40 consecutive home run seasons in 2017 and 2018 before reaching new heights in an injury-shortened 2019 campaign. In 297 plate appearances last year, he hit 22 long balls and posted a .253 / .389 / .598 batting line, all while handing out highly-rated gloves in center and left field.
Needless to say, the Texas organization hopes that Gallo will clear up his infection and make it to summer camp soon. If all goes well, he won’t exhibit any detrimental reactions and perhaps he may even be ready for the start of the 2020 season.
