Orioles first baseman Chris Davis returned to the team and field in Friday's 6-3 win over the Rays -- replacing Pat Valaika in the fourth inning and going 0-for-2 with a walk -- after missing the prior two games in COVID-19 protocol, he said. Davis said he never tested positive for the virus, but he was held from the team after exhibiting symptoms of what he believes is a sinus infection.

Davis said he tested negative for COVID-19 “at least eight times” since leaving the team Wednesday with an elevated temperature, but he never had a fever during that time. He was not in the Orioles' starting lineup Friday night against the Rays, with Pat Valaika starting instead at first base.

“I feel fine. I feel well-rested,” Davis said. “Obviously, having to go through everything we had to go through on a day-to-day basis with the checkups, it raised some red flags, and I had to go through several tests and go through the protocol. Everything looks good.”

The Orioles have made it policy not to publicly discuss any COVID-19 related issues regarding the team, forcing manager Brandon Hyde to decline comment on Davis’ situation since Wednesday afternoon. That fueled speculation Davis might be deciding not to play this season, after he expressed increased concern the night prior regarding the Marlins' outbreak from over the weekend. That speculation proved unfounded.

“I think it's better to be more cautious than it is more careless, especially with how quickly this can spread, how close we are together and how much we are together throughout the course of our day,” Davis said. “It’s better to be cautious. I think we’re doing a good job adhering to the health and safety protocols, not just in our clubhouse but league-wide.”

The Orioles had two of their games against the Marlins this week postponed and two others rescheduled due to the outbreak, which has suspended Miami’s season through at least Sunday. The Orioles so far have had two players test positive for COVID-19 in Anthony Santander and Dwight Smith Jr., both upon intake screening for Summer Camp. They haven’t had a positive test since the season opened.

Davis said he often suffers from sinus issues throughout the course of a normal season.

“I wasn’t showing any symptoms. I felt normal,” said Davis, before applauding the Orioles' medical staff. “With everything that went on in the past week, I wanted to be cautious and make sure I went about things the right way.”

Said Hyde: “He feels good. It sounds like he was a little bit under the weather and for precautionary reasons, and the world we’re living in right now, we wanted to make sure we did the responsible thing.”