Tampa Bay Rays News: Yonny Chirinos returns just in time

Tampa Bay Rays Yonny Chirinos has returned to camp after a positive COVID-19 test.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Yonny Chirinos returned to summer camp this past Sunday after missing the first two weeks due to a positive COVID-19 test.

Chirinos has reportedly been working very hard in his time away from the team and shouldn’t be too far behind in his progress.

The Rays have already announced Charlie Morton as the Opening Day starter with Ryan Yarbrough following him up. A good guess for the third spot would be Blake Snell, but you never know. Tyler Glasnow also recently returned from a positive test, should be ready to go during the first time through the rotation.

Chirinos said he did have some mild symptoms initially but was well enough to continue running and lifting weights during his quarantine.

He told Juan Toribio of MLB.com:

“I feel good physically. I consider myself, with how I’ve been preparing myself, that I’m ready to pitch whenever I’m asked.”

Glasnow similarly returned to action and promptly threw 3.1 innings in his first simulated game. The expectation is about the same for Chirinos. He has limited time to test the arm as the season starts this Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays.

It may be a safe assumption that Glasnow and Chirinos will find themselves at the end of the rotation in order to make sure their arms as ready as they can be for major-league action.