A small group of players have announced they plan to sit out the shortened 60-game baseball season out of health concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic.
After weeks of negotiations, the MLB season restarted July 23.
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Players or coaches considered high-risk participants who elect not to play receive their full service time and salary for the games missed. (This designation, however, does not extend to high-risk family members.) Players who are not considered high-risk for the virus and choose not to play will not be paid, nor will they be credited with any service time. The remaining years on contracts remain.
Here’s a look at the players who won’t play in 2020:
Braves (3)
• Braves outfielder Nick Markakis informed the Braves Sunday, July 5, that he would not participate in the 2020 season, due to coronavirus concerns.
“We’ll miss him. He’s the backbone of our club,” manager Brian Snitker said.
• Braves starter Felix Hernandez has chosen not to participate in the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns. Hernandez, 34, signed a $1 million non-guaranteed deal with the Braves this offseason after spending his entire 15-year career with the Mariners.
Hernandez tweeted: “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.”
• Braves first base coach, 53-year-old Eric Young Sr. — in a high-risk category for COVID-19 — opted to skip the season.
Cardinals (1)
Citing a pre-existing medical condition, St. Louis pitcher Jordan Hicks — a Type 1 diabetic — told the team he would not take part in the 2020 campaign. Hicks, 23, was slated to start the season on the injured list, still recovering from elbow surgery in 2019.
Diamondbacks (1)
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Mike Leake is one of the first players to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns about the coronavirus.
The 32-year-old Leake started 10 games for Arizona after being traded from Seattle for outfielder Jose Caballero and cash in a 2019 deadline deal. Leake went 3-3 with a 4.35 ERA with Arizona and earned his first AL Gold Glove Award for his time with the Mariners.
Credit: Matt York
Credit: Matt York
Leake was included in the Diamondbacks’ 60-player pool released earlier Monday, but will be moved in a later transaction. He was expected to compete for a spot in the Diamondbacks’ starting rotation during the 60-game season.
Dodgers (1)
Dodgers pitcher David Price will not play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, delaying his Los Angeles debut until next year.
The 34-year-old Price made two starts in spring training for the Dodgers, striking out 10 in 4 1/3 innings before all camps were closed March 12 because of the virus outbreak. Price has a $217 million, seven-year contract that runs through 2021. He was going to make $32 million this season, with the Red Sox paying $16 million of that, before the virus shut down the sport.
Nationals (3)
Longtime Washington Nationals infielder Ryan Zimmerman and teammate Joe Ross have decided not to play this season.
General manager Mike Rizzo said Zimmerman and Ross opted out “for the personal health and safety of themselves and their loved ones,” adding the team supports their decisions.
Zimmerman said in a statement his family situation factored into his decision. His mother is at high risk for complications from the coronavirus because she has multiple sclerosis, and he has three young children, including a newborn.
Credit: Curtis Compton
Credit: Curtis Compton
As part of his announcement, the 35-year-old Zimmerman said he’s not retiring. Zimmerman, who has been with the Nationals since 2005, said he still is deciding on his future beyond this season. The two-time All-Star and 2009 Gold Glove winner has 270 career homers.
Ross is a 27-year-old right-hander with five years of major league experience, all with Washington.
• Wellington Castillo, who was competing to be the Nationals’ third option at catcher behind Kurt Suzuki and Yan Gomes, has elected not to play the season.
“He's got two little kids and his wife in the Dominican [Republic]. I don't hold anything against those guys. They have family,” said Nationals manager Davey Martinez.
Pirates (1)
Pittsburgh right-hander Hector Noesi, 33, cited family reasons for deciding not to play the 2020 season. Noesi recorded an 8.46 ERA over 27-2/3 innings in Miami last season. Signed by the Pirates before spring training, he had earned a spot in Pittsburgh’s 60-man player pool.
Red Sox (1)
Boston pitcher Collin McHugh, who had already been ruled out to start season following elbow surgery, decided to sit out the shortened season. He had agreed to a one-year, $600,000 contract in March. The 33-year-old is 58-43 with a 3.95 ERA in 210 career appearances.
Rockies (1)
Colorado Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond plans to sit out this season to be with his family and help grow youth baseball in his hometown in Florida.
The 34-year-old Desmond, who cited his pregnant wife and four kids, wrote on Instagram that the “COVID-19 pandemic has made this baseball season one that is a risk I am not comfortable taking.” The biracial slugger also mentioned a myriad issues within baseball, including racism, sexism, homophobia and socioeconomic concerns.
Desmond, who hit .255 with 20 homers in 140 games last season, had been due $5,555,556 for the prorated share of his $15 million salary, part of a $70 million, five-year contract. He is owed $8 million next year, and his deal includes a $15 million team option for 2022 with a $2 million buyout.
White Sox (1)
Top Chicago pitching prospect Michael Kopech, 24, chose not to participate in the 2020 season. Kopech has not pitched since September 2018 due to Tommy John surgery.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement: “We recognize that reaching this decision is incredibly difficult for any competitive athlete, and our organization is understanding and supportive.”
