Taking precautions, Astros open Summer Camp

HOUSTON -- Friday was a day the Astros had circled on the calendar in the winter. They were scheduled to open a three-game series in Washington against the Nationals in a World Series rematch that included a July 4 game in the nation’s capital. What could be more anticipated than that?

Instead, Astros players, coaches and staff were wearing masks, trying not to get too close to one another and taking advantage of hand-sanitizer stations on the field at Minute Maid Park during their first team workout since the coronavirus pandemic shut down Spring Training in mid-March. The Astros started Summer Camp workouts with health at the forefront as they try to prepare for a 60-game regular season set to start on July 23 or 24.

“We’re taking as many precautions as we can, trying to make sure everyone is healthy and ready to go,” outfielder Kyle Tucker said in a Zoom call with reporters. “Today, we came in and took another [COVID-19] test before we got started. We’re doing a pretty good job of keeping everyone safe.”

• Astros undergo COVID-19 testing before camp

Astros pitchers worked out early Friday, using the visiting dugout at Minute Maid Park to get ready, with position players taking up the team’s normal clubhouse space on the first-base side. Lockers were spaced, masks were worn when the players weren’t on the field and the Astros tried to get in and out of the ballpark as quickly as possible.

“Everybody I’ve talked to has been aggressive about getting ready or staying ready,” general manager James Click said. “The guys have done an amazing job of finding creative ways to do that. We’re anticipating everybody should be ready to go. Obviously, certain guys faced particular challenges or unique challenges that maybe some of the other ones didn’t, and that’s why we have three weeks to try to get everyone ready to go.”

First-year Astros manager Dusty Baker joked about patting the players on the stomach to see how fit they were and categorized Friday’s workout as light. He said there would be “heavier.”

"The guys are excited," Baker said. "I was watching our infielders today and it was like they never missed a beat. I was proud of the guys and the way they worked. … These guys, they’re professionals, and I’m happy to be around them.”

Not all Astros players reported to camp, however. Click said the team had “some additional positive tests” as the result of intake COVID-19 testing that was required prior to the start of camp. Baker said designated hitter Yordan Alvarez wasn’t in camp, but he wasn’t allowed to say why, citing league mandates.

Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. said the players who returned to the ballpark this week were excited, despite the stringent health protocols they had to follow.

“Everything has gone smoothly for the most part,” McCullers said. “Guys are going to make sure they continue to do the right things away from the field and follow the protocols that are in place, and hopefully everyone will get used to it after a couple of days and settle into their new routine.”

Click said the players have been thoroughly educated on what they can do to keep themselves healthy and will have to hold each other accountable to follow the guidelines throughout camp and into the regular season.

“The players I’ve talked to are all eager to keep themselves accountable and as a group, keep the group accountable,” Click said. “I think we recognize the team that’s hit the least hardest by the virus and keeps themselves healthy out here is going to have the best chance to compete, and these guys are taking it seriously. They’re going to have to ultimately self-police, but the guys are circling up and making sure we understand we’re all in this together.”

McCullers, who has an infant daughter at home, is the Astros’ player representative to the Players Association and was involved in the negotiations regarding how Summer Camp would start. More than perhaps any of his teammates, he understands how much work went into the health guidelines and says it’s now up to the Astros to keep the players and staff safe.

“Not only here, but also away from the field,” McCullers said. “I felt comfortable. I do have a very young daughter and my wife at home, and they’re the No. 1 priority. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t feel like it was something we could sustain. Hopefully, no one does get the virus. If we do, there are protocols in place to make sure we are not passing it along to our family members and not passing it along to the other guys on the team.”

When asked if three weeks was going to be enough time to get his team ready to open the season, Baker said there is no other option.

“If it’s not long enough,” Baker said, “it means it’s not going to be long enough for anybody.”