Hunter Dozier tests positive for Covid-19, Astros haven’t received Covid test results

The Kansas City Royals open their 2020 season on Friday against the Cleveland Indians, and they will be missing a key weapon on offense. Third baseman Hunter Dozier has tested positive for Covid-19 and will have to miss the opener, according to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis.

Dozier will of course miss more than opener, as he will need to quarantine, get over his symptoms and then test negative for the virus, two times in a row. The process has kept asymptomatic players like Will Smith of the Braves, away from the team for over three weeks, so the timetable could be quite long. Dozier responded to the positive test:

Dozier will go on the 10-day injured list, but his return is up in the air. He broke out last season, as he hit 26 home runs and 84 RBIs and put up a .279/.348/.522 batting line. Expect to see Maikel Franco take over third base duties while Franchy Cordero and Bubba Starling see more time in the outfield while Dozier is out.

Following this news, Houston Astros general manager James Click said the team had not yet received results from their Wednesday Covid-19 testing, according to beat writer Chandler Rome. The Astros took the tests upon returning from Kansas City after Dozier played six innings against them on Monday.