Notable Athletes Who Have Opted Out of 2020 Seasons Over COVID-19 Concerns (Photos)

Brian Welk and Tim Baysinger
·2 min read

Buster Posey

The six-time All Star catcher with the San Francisco Giants opted out of the 2020 season after he and his wife planned to adopt two identical twin girls who were, a journalist for The Athletic reported.

David Price

David Price, a pitcher formerly for the Boston Red Sox who this season was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, opted out of the season on July 4 out of the interest of the his health and his family’s.

Ian Desmond

Ian Desmond, an outfielder for the Colorado Rockies, opted out in part because of his pregnant wife and four young children. It was reported that he’d be sacrificing $5.55 million in pro-rated salary for 2020.

Ryan Zimmerman

Ryan Zimmerman, the 35-year-old first baseman for the World Series champs Washington Nationals, clarified that he would not be retiring by opting out this season. He forfeited $740,000 of pro-rated salary.

Nick Markakis

Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis opted out of the 2020 season after seeing his teammate Freddie Freeman contract the coronavirus and be sidelined with symptoms of COVID-19. “Just hearing him, the way he sounded on the phone, it was tough,” Markakis said in a press conference. “It was kind of eye-opening. With everything that’s going on, not just with baseball but all over the world, it makes you open your eyes.”

Mike Leake

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Leake, 32, became the first known MLB player to opt out of the 2020 season on June 29. He was scheduled to make $16 million in a full season and is a free agent in 2021.

Felix Hernandez

Felix Hernandez, a longtime pitcher and All Star for the Seattle Mariners, opted out of the 2020 season on July 4. He signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves this season and was competing for a rotation spot.

Joe Ross and Tyson Ross

Joe Ross, 27, and Tyson Ross, 33, two brothers and MLB pitchers for the Washington Nationals and a free agent respectively, both signed out of the 2020 season.

Read original story Notable Athletes Who Have Opted Out of 2020 Seasons Over COVID-19 Concerns (Photos) At TheWrap