Getting into the swing of things
Sox prospect Dalbec back with team after recovering from coronavirus
An uncertain year for Bobby Dalbec got even more uncertain in early June.
One of the top Red Sox prospects, Dalbec was on a path to compete for a spot on the majorleague roster in spring training before the COVID-19 pandemic shut MLB down for three months. Then, as he was gearing up for the season’s restart, the first/third baseman’s return was unfortunately delayed even longer.
On June 7, Dalbec tested positive for COVID-19 while at home in Arizona, but was asymptomatic. He was still named to the Red Sox’ initial player pool for summer camp and arrived in Boston on June 30, when he was tested again.
The results of that test are unclear, but he then quarantined until July 10 and was finally cleared to rejoin the team for workouts at Boston College.
Dalbec said he feels fortunate in how it all played out.
“I was asymptomatic the entire time,” Dalbec said. “No spike in fever. I never felt tired. No body aches, nothing. I had my taste and smell the whole time. I obviously consider myself lucky that the way I did get it was that way. I was fortunate. Other than that, I felt good the whole time. I was just ready to get back playing and doing my thing.
“I’m glad to be back and working out every day conditioning and getting back in shape after sitting around in the room for a while. It’s good to be back.”
Dalbec admitted that when he learned he tested positive, there was some anxiety.
“I think the first day I was a little nervous but after that, I just tried to calm myself down,” Dalbec said.
“If it happens, it happens, and I’ll take the necessary steps to get better. I felt good the whole time. I wasn’t careless with anything, I followed all the guidelines and the rules and self-isolated and everything so I’m glad it worked out the way it did.”
The Red Sox took every precaution upon Dalbec’s return last weekend, and Dalbec is being careful, too. Dalbec wore a Red Sox mask during his press conference Wednesday over Zoom, a sign he’s taking the situation seriously regardless if he’s fully recovered from the virus. He’s doing his best to stay out of the way and get his work in at Fenway as he gets back in the swing of things.
“Obviously it’s a serious thing and the last thing I want is for anyone on the team to feel uncomfortable with me being around,” Dalbec said. “I think the staff addressed everyone very well. They weren’t going to let me come back if I wasn’t good to go. The doctors and the joint committee, they’re not going to cut me corners and they’re going to make sure, they’re going to be certain that I’m good to come back. I think they all realize that. I’m not going up to anyone right away if I make them feel uncomfortable. Speak when spoken to and get my work in.”
Now, the question with Dalbec is how much he’ll be able to contribute this season, and how soon. The 25-year-old Dalbec, the second-ranked Red Sox prospect by Baseball America, hit 59 home runs combined in 2018 and 2019, and was impressive during the fall’s Premier12 tournament in Japan.
The 6-foot-4, 234-pounder said he didn’t think his brief bout with COVID-19 set him back too far. He was still working out daily at a couple of facilities back home — even saying he overworked himself a bit — and the week before he came to Boston, he said he was hitting almost every day to get reps in.
But it’s obviously a strange set of circumstances for Dalbec. With almost a week to go before Opening Day, it’s unclear how soon he can get some real at-bats during intrasquad action, and there’s no minor league season for him to get more reps.
But either way, Dalbec said he’ll be ready to go whenever he’s called upon.
“I’m just kind of taking it one day at a time, getting my work in, trying to get extra work when I can,” Dalbec said. “Whenever they deem that I’m ready to play again, I’ll do that.
“I feel pretty good. Obviously not seeing pitches is pretty tough. It’s not like everyone is getting 10 at-bats a day right now, so hopefully whatever their plan is, they’re going to make sure I’m ready.”