Gallo joins Rangers after missed week due to positive test

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — All-Star slugger Joey Gallo joined the Texas Rangers for the first time at summer camp Friday after missing the first week of workouts because he had tested positive for coronavirus.

Gallo never felt any symptoms, but had two positive tests that sandwiched a negative result during intake testing. He was cleared to return after multiple negative tests this week.

The 26-year-old Gallo initially took a saliva test during intake testing June 27, and got a positive result two days later. Gallo, who then allowed the Rangers to share the information, took a nasal swab test on June 30 that came back negative, but then had another saliva test that came back positive last Sunday.

Gallo’s return came two weeks before the scheduled season opener July 24 against Colorado. He is expected to be ready for the season, and had been working out at the new stadium for several weeks before the positive tests that kept him away from the team.

After consecutive 40-homer seasons while hitting under .210, Gallo had 22 homers and a .253 average in 70 games last season, when he was an All-Star before right wrist surgery. He homered in the All-Star game.