The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
DeShields hopes to put obstacles behind him
Delino DeShields would love for things to be normal.
The 27-year-old outfielder acquired from the Rangers in December in a deal that sent twotime Cy Young award-winner Corey Kluber to Texas would love to be able to be taking part in all activities in Spring Training 2.0 and getting chummy with his new Indians teammates.
That’s not the case. Yet.
A late arrival to this month’s spring training because he tested positive for the novel coronavirus just days before he was schedule to depart for Cleveland, DeShields is taking part in light workouts at Progressive Field while also keeping a relatively safe distance from other players — even though he has tested negative recently for the COVID-19 virus.
“I’m not really interacting with a lot of guys like I usually would,” DeShields said July 14 in a Zoom conference with media members. “But as a group, everybody is doing a pretty good job of practicing social distancing, making sure we’re using sanitizer and doing little things to keep everyone safe.
“A lot of guys have families here. As a group, we want to do the best we can to make sure everybody is healthy and can have a successful season. I think everybody is taking it pretty seriously.” Especially him. After all, he’s been down the COVID-19 highway already.
“I have no idea,” DeShields said when asked how he contracted the coronavirus.
DeShields said he was with his family in Clearwater, Fla., when he was tested prior to his expected travel to Cleveland for spring workouts earlier this month. He said he and everyone around him were taking precautions so as to stay healthy.
He tested positive — and he knew that meant a delay to his season.
“I was with my family when I got it. That’s the only benefit of it,” he said.
He said his only symptoms were the loss of smell and taste. He joked one bonus was “if there’s a food you don’t like or that’s not good for you, you can crush it,” because you can’t taste or smell it.
But aside from that, he was all business discussing the virus.
“I was bummed out,” he said. “I knew I had it. But when I wasn’t able to do any baseball activities or training like I had been, I wasn’t too happy about that. I felt like I was getting held back a week or two. It ended up being like three weeks.
“I was disappointed all the work I was putting in had come to a stop.”
DeShield tested negative at his home before being allowed to fly to Cleveland. He was tested again at his Intake Screening at Progressive Field and also underwent a nasal swab, he said. One test returned positive, the other negative.
He has since tested negative again and hopes he is in the clear.
Now that he is able to work out with the Indians, he is taking baby steps. In fact, the Indians on July 13 placed him on the 10-day injured list.
He said his workouts to this point have been throwing and hitting in the cage.
He cited leg and arm issues he had back in February and March as a reason he is taking things slow.
“I feel good physically,” he said. “I haven’t had any issues so far. I hope to continue pushing myself and being healthy at the same time. I’m hoping for the beginning of the season. If not, then soon after.”
Last year with the Rangers, DeShields hit .249 with four home runs, 42 runs, 32 RBI and 24 stolen bases.
He joins a crowded Indians outfield that also includes Oscar Mercado, Tyler Naquin, Domingo Santana, Jordan Luplow, Greg Allen, Jake Bauers, Franmil Reyes, Bradley Zimmer and youngster Daniel Johnson.
He said he will not rush back.
“If I don’t feel I’m physically ready to start playing games, no I’m not going to rush it,” he said. “If I don’t feel like I’m ready to help the team right away, I don’t want to be playing. This is something bigger than me.
“We’re all on the same page. I’ll take things slow until I’m 100% and ready to go.”
Indians manager Terry Francona agreed it’s best for DeShields to take his time.
“We told him we’re going to be patient,” Francona said. “When we get you back, we want to get the real guy back.”
Through it all, DeShields made a point of caution for those wondering or worrying about COVID-19.
“People have their own opinions,” he said. “You see in the media when people get mad or upset when people hold them accountable.
“Peoples’ lives are on the line. It’s a big deal. Lucky for me, I had minor symptoms. There are a lot of people out there losing their lives because of this. This needs to be taken seriously.”
“Lucky for me, I had minor symptoms. There are a lot of people out there losing their lives because of this. This needs to be taken seriously.” Indians outfielder Delino DeShields Jr.