Braves starter Felix Hernandez has opted out of the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns, his agent Wilfredo Polidor of Octagon tweeted Saturday evening.
Hernandez, 34, signed a $1 million non-guaranteed deal with the Braves this offseason after spending his entire 15-year career with the Mariners.
“He just evaluated where things were and for his family,” manager Brian Snitker said Sunday morning. “We support him.”
» LIST: Baseball players opting out of 2020 season
Snitker hadn’t spoken with Hernandez. He learned the news Sunday morning after talking with general manager Alex Anthopoulos, who was informed by Hernandez’s agent.
Hernandez had been in Braves camp. He threw a side session Saturday.
In spring training, Hernandez was competing for a rotation spot. Entering the rebooted camp that opened this week, he seemed likely to be on the opening-day roster. The Braves hadn’t talked with Hernandez about a role before his decision.
“He was getting results,” Snitker said. “He did exactly what we asked him to do, which was get guys out. He didn’t do anything to not warrant making our club in the spring.”
Hernandez became the second Cy Young winner to opt out of the season Saturday. His decision became public hours after Dodgers lefty David Price, 34, announced he wouldn't play this season.
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The announcement also came on the same day the Braves revealed four players had tested positive for the coronavirus: first baseman Freddie Freeman, left-hander Will Smith, right-hander Touki Toussaint and utilityman Pete Kozma.
“It (opts outs) are going to be ongoing as we do this,” Snitker said. “Things are way, way different. Until you’re in it, I don’t think you know it. As tests come in, outbreaks, things like that, it’s human nature to process these things. You have family members involved, children, things like that.”
While the Braves have ample pitching depth, they’d been excited to see what Hernandez had left. In his storied career, the right-hander hasn’t pitched in the postseason. The six-time All-Star was hoping to break that streak with the Braves.
Hernandez tweeted Friday: “Never before has an entire MLB season depended so much on everyone in the league’s involvement. Let’s be responsible and keep each other safe. It’s not just for us, but for the game and our families.”
It's unclear what's next for Hernandez, who's been struck by injuries in recent seasons. He recently said he's taking his career on a year-by-year basis but wanted to go for 200 wins and 3,000 strikeouts before retirement. He's currently at 169 wins and 2,524 strikeouts.
“A situation like that, I guess he’ll take the rest of the summer and winter and decide if he wants to (continue),” Snitker said.
The Braves' rotation includes Mike Soroka, Max Fried, Mike Foltynewicz and Cole Hamels. Hernandez was competing with Sean Newcomb and Kyle Wright for a rotation spot in the spring.
Snitker said he’s still comfortable with the Braves’ pitching depth and their ability to piggyback starters early on. “Our depth numbers are really strong and we can withstand a little bit.”
The 60-game regular season is scheduled to begin in three weeks.
