Royals outfielder Hunter Dozier tests positive for coronavirus

Kansas City Royals starting outfielder Hunter Dozier of Wichita Falls, Kansas tested positive for coronavirus on Tuesday according to KMBC Kansas City. The positive test came after the Royals were playing the Houston Astros in a preseason game on Monday. Dozier was not playing as the Royals lost 15-6 to the Astros from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Dozier is expected to see more playing time in right field this season. That is because the Royals acquired third baseman Maikel Franco of Azua, Dominican Republic as a free agent on December 27, 2019. Franco signed a one-year contract worth $2.95 million.

It is also a good thing that Kansas City recently increased their outfield insurance with the acquisition of Franchy Cordero from the San Diego Padres. Cordero, who like Franco, is also from Azua, Dominican Republic, was traded just a week ago with right-handed pitcher Ronald Bolanos for left-handed pitcher Tim Hill.

The Royals will definitely miss Dozier’s bat. In 2019, he led Major League Baseball with 10 triples. He also batted .279 with 26 home runs and 84 runs batted in. Dozier also scored 75 runs, and had 146 hits, 29 doubles, two stolen bases, 55 walks, 273 total bases, and five sacrifice flies. He had a .348 on base percentage and .522 slugging percentage.

Dozier led the Royals in home runs and triples. In fact, he was one of three Royals and four Major League Baseball players to lead Major League Baseball with 10 triples in 2019. The others were his Royals teammates, second baseman Whit Merrifield of Florence, South Carolina, and Adalberto Mondesi of Los Angeles, California, along with Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eduardo Escobar of La Pica, Venezuela.

There are currently 39, 673 cases of coronavirus in the state of Missouri, and 1214 deaths. There are also 30,919 active cases in Missouri.

Dozier has been placed on the Royals injury list. Kansas City begins their 2020 Major League Baseball regular season Friday night in Cleveland.