Reyes said the team did the right thing keeping him away for a few days, and he pledged not to let it happen again.
"I really apologize," Reyes said. "I was not protecting myself and my teammates. I learned from it, and it won't happen again. I really don't want to stop practicing. I really apologize about that."
Reyes took batting practice with the Indians on Wednesday after being cleared by team medical staff to join the club following a negative COVID-19 test.
"Its really important to protect ourselves when you go out there," Reyes added. "You have a lot of teammates here that are ready to give their 100% for the season, and its really risky when people do the things that I was doing on Saturday. I swear it won't happen again."
During the break between spring training and summer camp, Reyes was in the Dominican Republic at a field in his town by himself, working on his defense. After being the team's designated hitter for a good part of last season, Reyes wants to contribute in the outfield in 2020.
Cleveland will likely use Reyes as his primary designated hitter, but he may also get some time in right field.
"The hardest thing for me is, are you a better team with him playing the outfield? Or are you a better team with him DH’ing?" manager Terry Francona said. "That’s going to be what it comes down to. ... If we can put him in the outfield two or three times a week, that probably helps, especially in a season like this."
"My confidence is really high," Reyes said, maintaining that he is getting his timing back and will still have power in his swing, despite the break. "With the support we give each other (as a team), it feels great."
The 25-year-old lost 18 pounds while working out at the Indians’ Dominican academy and training facility in San Antonio de Guerra prior to spring training. Cutting out sugar and sweets also contributed to the weight loss.
Francona added that “there a lot more in the tank” for Reyes.
“We believe that," Francona went on to say. "And again, you’ll never hear me go on spring training numbers, but it’s still fun to watch what a guy can do. I think in 20 at-bats, he’s hitting the ball all over the place ... And he’s maturing as a hitter."
The Indians acquired Reyes in a three-team trade with the Padres and Reds last July. He finished with 37 home runs and 81 RBI last season.
After a week of summer camp, and plenty of simulated games, bullpen sessions, and batting practice, the Indians are ready to show the world (or maybe just the internet) what they've been working on.
Indians.com is set to broadcast an inter-squad scrimmage on Thursday night, where the team will send out All-Star game MVP Shane Bieber to start. Bieber is scheduled to pitch five innings, followed by four relievers going an inning each.