KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ The COVID-19 coronavirus continues to strain the Kansas City Royals' catching depth as the third of three catchers currently on their 40-man roster, Cam Gallagher, was placed on the injured list Saturday.
The Royals announced Saturday morning that Gallagher tested positive for the coronavirus. He's the fourth player the team has reported sidelined due to a positive test, joining All-Star catcher Salvador Perez, starting pitcher Brad Keller and first baseman Ryan O'Hearn.
"To say this caught me by surprise would be an understatement," Gallagher, 27, said in a statement provided by the club. "I played in last night's intrasquad game and felt great, then received the news this morning that my most recent test had come back positive.
"I am asymptomatic and will continue to work as hard as I can to stay ready while I quarantine. The first couple of weeks of workouts have just made me that much more excited about our ballclub and I can't wait to rejoin them and compete as soon as I'm allowed."
Gallagher hit a home run in Friday night's intrasquad game at Kauffman Stadium.
Last weekend the Royals also placed catcher Meibrys Viloria on the IL with an unspecified injury. Viloria, Gallagher and Perez were the three catchers on the club's 40-man roster.
The Royals still have minor league catchers M.J. Melendez, Nick Dini, Freddy Fermin, Sebastian Rivero and Allan de San Miguel in camp. They also signed catcher Oscar Hernandez to a minor league contract earlier this week to add depth. Hernandez played in Friday night's intrasquad scrimmage.
