Freddie Freeman cleared to return to Braves camp after positive coronavirus test July 4
The Atlanta Braves might have Freddie Freeman for opening day after all. Freeman — who announced a positive coronavirus test July 4 — was cleared to return to camp Friday.
The Braves announced the news with a short video of Freeman, a 30-year-old four-time All-Star, walking onto the field. As he reaches the top of the dugout steps, he proclaims, “This is wonderful.”
LOOK WHO’S BACK! pic.twitter.com/Eb57SUnmAM
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 17, 2020
Some MLB players who have tested positive for the coronavirus have been asymptomatic, but Freeman was hit hard by the virus. Freeman’s symptoms were bad enough that veteran outfielder Nick Markakis opted out of the season after speaking with Freeman about the virus.
While Freeman looks happy in the video, he still faces a tough road if he wants to be ready by opening day, though he was able to hit during quarantine. The team will take Freeman’s status day-by-day, according to general manager Alex Anthopoulos.
Anthopoulos on whether Freeman will be ready for Opening Day: "Right now, we’ll see how he feels the next few days. We’ll have to take it day-by-day. We’ve got a week until Opening Day He says he’s been hitting. You can never put it past him." https://t.co/rgJAGB1Ap7
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) July 17, 2020
The Braves open the season against the New York Mets on July 24.
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