Manager Joe Girardi did not get into specifics on the conditions of those unavailable but told reporters that he received his second COVID-19 vaccine shot before Monday's media session. Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Phillies have eight personnel in COVID-19 protocol

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Apr 19, 2021 7:54 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies were cleared to host the San Francisco Giants on Monday evening despite worrisome COVID-19 concerns.

According to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies added relief pitcher Jose Alvarado, starting pitcher Matt Moore and utility infielder Ronald Torreyes to the injured list for coronavirus-related reasons. First-base coach Paco Figueroa and coaching assistant Bobby Meacham were also placed in the protocol after third base coach Dusty Wathan, hitting coach Joe Dillon and bullpen coach Dave Lundquist were added to the list Friday.

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, no Phillies player had yet tested positive for COVID-19 as of Monday afternoon:

No Phillies players are known to be Covid positive to this point, though 3 are in the protocols due to close contact. Only Phillies coaches are positive so far.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 19, 2021

Manager Joe Girardi did not get into specifics on the conditions of those unavailable but told reporters that he received his second COVID-19 vaccine shot before Monday's media session.

"With COVID protocols, there’s so many different ways that you can find yourself on [the list]," Girardi said.

In corresponding roster moves, Philadelphia added southpaws Damon Jones and Cristopher Sanchez and also infielder Nick Maton to the active roster ahead of Monday's game.

"I can’t recommend for someone whether they should get it or not. That’s a personal choice," Girardi said of players potentially getting vaccinated. "I made the personal choice. I got my second shot today. Hopefully it works for me. But for each player it’s a personal choice."

Girardi explained that the Phillies are not close to reaching the 85% threshold for vaccinated personnel that would result in MLB relaxing COVID-19 health and safety restrictions.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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