Athletics’ Murphy, Montas recovering from separate incidents
Two important Oakland Athletics players are dealing with separate medical issues and will not participate in spring training for now, the team announced Wednesday on the first day pitchers and catchers reported to camp in Mesa, Arizona.
Catcher Sean Murphy suffered from a collapsed lung a few weeks ago, manager Bob Melvin Wednesday said in a Zoom call with reporters while pitcher Frankie Montas remains at home in Scottsdale after testing positive for COVID-19.
Melvin said team trainers expect Murphy to return sometime during spring camp after the catcher had surgery for his condition. Melvin said Murphy is expected to be ready for Opening Day on April 1.
Melvin said he talked to Murphy the day he woke up with difficulty breathing.
“He tried to push through it, drank a bunch of water, but within a couple hours he went to the hospital,” Melvin said.
Physicians performed the surgery the next day, Melvin said.
The A’s hope to have Murphy back sometime during the Cactus League slate of games, Melvin said.
“The prognosis is good,” he added. “He’s recovering well and we expect him to be ready for Opening Day.”
Melvin confirmed that Montas is dealing with COVID-19 symptoms.
“He’s certainly feeling the effects of it, he’s having some symptoms,” Melvin said. “Unfortunately he’s going to be a little bit behind.”
It’s unclear when Montas tested positive for COVID-19, but players need to test negative twice in order to return to spring training. According to Maricopa County public health department guidelines COVID patients with symptoms should self isolate for 10 days.