Giants’ Buster Posey misses first workout, but could join team shortly

The Giants' new normal requires transparency, because otherwise the media and fans will all assume the same thing. When Gabe Kapler, giving a Zoom press conference for the first time during Spring Training 2.0, confirmed to reporters that Buster Posey had not been at the park Friday, he immediately added a clarification.

"He has tested negative," Kapler said. "Just don't want that to be a concern at all."

The ongoing tracking of players who have COVID-19 might be a daily story this season, and teams are aware that any player who is not seen -- such as Posey, who was a notable absence from Friday's media availability -- might unfortunately end up in the rumor mill. The Giants cannot reveal that a player has tested positive without his permission, and thus far both who have gotten that result have let it be known publicly.

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Right-hander Luis Madero tested positive during his intake screening, joining Hunter Bishop, who tested positive before the Giants arrived in San Francisco and was not put in the player pool. Madero, a January waiver claim, will now have to quarantine. Kapler said no other players in the pool tested positive, although the Giants still are awaiting several results.

There were no other notable absences on the first day, and Kapler confirmed that the Giants will not have any players opt out of the season. He's hopeful that the full squad will be together soon -- in three socially-distancing groups -- but the Giants aren't worried if Posey needs a few more days away.

"If there's anybody in our camp that knows how to prepare for a regular season, that knows how to be built up for that workload, has an arm stroke and a body that can prepare quickly, it's Buster," Kapler said. "That being said, when it comes to personal matters, we believe -- and I personally believe -- that players can come back when the time is right for them.