Former Giants pitcher Mike Leake, Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland alum Joe Ross and two-time All-Stars Ryan Zimmerman and Ian Desmond announced Monday that they will sit out the 60-game Major League Baseball season for the safety of themselves and their families.
Leake, 32, was a candidate for a rotation spot with the Diamondbacks, who acquired him from the Mariners at the 2019 trade deadline. His decision came on a day that general manager Mike Hazen said two players on Arizona’s 60-man roster tested positive for the coronavirus, as did another player not in Arizona.
“During this global pandemic, Mike and his family had many discussions about playing this season,” Leake’s agent, Danny Horwits, said in a statement. “They took countless factors into consideration, many of which are personal to him and his family. After thorough consideration, he has chosen to opt out of playing in 2020. This was not an easy decision for Mike. He wishes the best of luck and health for his Diamondback teammates this season and he’s looking forward to 2021.”
MLB is allowing players with preexisting medical conditions or compromised immune systems to opt out of the 2020 season and receive their full pro-rated pay and MLB service time, but Hazen did not say whether Leake falls under that category. Leake was due $5,555,556 as the prorated share of his $15 million salary.
Desmond, 34, a starting outfielder for the Rockies who hit .255 with 20 home runs last season, made his announcement on Instagram.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made this baseball season one that is a risk that I am not comfortable taking,” Desmond wrote. “With a pregnant wife and four young children who have lots of questions about what’s going on in the world, home is where I need to be right now.”
Ross, a pitcher, and Zimmerman, an infielder, both play for the Washington Nationals. Zimmerman was due $740,741 and Ross $555,556 as prorated portions of their salaries.
“We are 100% supportive of their decision to not play this year,” Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said. “We will miss their presence in the clubhouse and their contributions on the field.”
Ross, 27, was a candidate for the Nationals rotation. After undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in 2017, he was 4-4 with a 5.48 ERA in 27 games, including nine starts, last season.
Zimmerman, 35, said his decision is not a signal that he’s retiring.
“I have a 3-week-old baby,” Zimmerman said. “My mother has multiple sclerosis and is super high-risk; if I end up playing, I can pretty much throw out the idea of seeing her until weeks after the season is over. There’s a lot of factors that I and others have to consider. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer; it’s everybody’s individual choice.”
• The Twins announced that bullpen coach Bob McClure and major league coach Bill Evers won’t be in the clubhouse at the start of this season because of health concerns. Both coaches are in their 60s and will stay with the organization to help in altered roles.
Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said both coaches were disappointed.
Rules changes: MLB made official several rule changes for this season, including one that allows for the use of the DH in all games, another that requires pitchers to either face at least three batters or get the last out of an inning, and one that will have each half-inning from the 10th on begin with a runner on second base.
Player moves: The Mets signed three former Giants: reliever Hunter Strickland, outfielder Melky Cabrera and infielder Gordon Beckham. Strickland was released by Washington in March. Beckham was with the Padres in spring training while Cabrera was without a team this spring. ... The Marlins signed reliever Nick Vincent, who was released by the Giants on Friday.
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June 30, 2020 at 10:43AM
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Coronavirus fears lead four MLB players to decide to skip season - San Francisco Chronicle
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