Pirates manager Derek Shelton revealed Wednesday night relief pitcher Keone Kela, who has missed all of spring training 2.0 this month, has tested positive for covid-19.
Kela is the fifth Pirates player to test positive. Previously, relief pitcher Blake Cederlind, outfielders Gregory Polanco and Socrates Brito and third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, the team’s top position prospect, tested positive.
Brito has rejoined the team, and Hayes has been sent to the Pirates’ satellite camp in Altoona. Polanco and Cederlind remain out.
Shelton did not specify when Kela would return to the team. Shelton has not selected a closer to replace Kela. Instead he plans to use several pitchers in that role when the regular season begins Friday in St. Louis.
“He’s in good spirits. I’m excited for him to get back when he does come back,” Shelton said. “All of our conversations have been really good with him. I’m really encouraged.
“He continues to be a good teammate. I know he’s reaching out to his teammates, in talking to him. Excited to have him back when the protocol works out.”
“Can’t say enough about how he’s been, in terms of his conversations with me, his conversations with Oscar and the type of teammate he’s been, in terms of his conversations with our players.”
Acquired in a trade from the Texas Rangers at the deadline in 2018, Kela was designated by Shelton in spring training 1.0 to be the closer this season. He had 24 saves with the Rangers before the trade two years ago.
