Phillies’ Didi Gregorius to Wear Mask During Games Because of Kidney Condition. Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius will wear a mask during the 2020 Major League Baseball season as a precautionary measure. I am keeping myself safe, wearing a mask everywhere I go. I’ve got to keep it on me all the time.”

31 years (February 18, 1990)
Didi Gregorius/Age

In addition to playing in MLB, Gregorius has represented the Dutch national baseball team at the Baseball World Cup and the World Baseball Classic. At the 2011 Baseball World Cup, he and his teammates received honorary knighthood after defeating Cuba in the gold medal match.

Gregorius has been away from the Phillies since Sunday following the birth of his child, but he’ll be active for Friday’s series opener in Miami. The 31-year-old will slot back in as the starting shortstop, while Freddy Galvis and Nick Maton will return to reserve roles.

Didi Gregorius
Jean SeguraNick Maton
Philadelphia Phillies/Shortstop

Gregorius was diagnosed with a kidney disorder in 2011. It is the reason he has been diligent wearing a mask even while on the playing field during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mariekson Julius Gregorius
Didi Gregorius/Full name

Rhys Hoskins underwent core surgery Tuesday, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said on MLB Network’s High Heat. Hoskins revealed last week that he needed surgery to repair an abdominal tear and that his season was over.

He was diagnosed Tuesday with pseudogout, Phillies general manager Sam Fuld said. “There are calcium crystals that formed in the blood. It’s a pretty rare condition,” Fuld said. Gregorius has not played for the Phillies since May 12, as his elbow swelled.

Why the Phillies ‘thought it was the time’ to call up center fielder Odúbel Herrera. Twenty-one games into the season, 700 days after his arrest on charges of assaulting his girlfriend at an Atlantic City casino, Herrera was recalled from Lehigh Valley to take Mickey Moniak’s place.