Rays outfielder
Austin Meadows has been cleared to resume training and is currently working out at the Rays’ minor league camp, manager
Kevin Cash told
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times and other reporters. Meadows was placed on the injured list nine days ago due to a positive COVID-19 test and
said he suffered some mild symptoms of the virus, though he has now passed league protocols that include a lack of symptoms and negative tests on consecutive days.
Meadows only worked out briefly at the start of the Rays’ Summer Camp, and Cash said he doesn’t know it will take the outfielder to get back up to speed following his weeks away from training. Topkin speculated that Meadows could potentially join the Rays on Wednesday for the start of a road trip, though that is likely the best-case scenario.
Meadows’ first full season in Tampa Bay was an unqualified success, as he hit .291/.364/.558 with 33 homers over 591 PA to help the Rays reach the postseason. The 25-year-old has gone from being a touted prospect in the Pirates’ farm system to one of the sport’s brightest young stars, and a huge cornerstone of a Rays team that is hoping to be in the World Series conversation as soon as this October.