The Rush: Cespedes ghosts the Mets as COVID-19 spreads through the sports world

For the first time in months, the weekend was packed full of pro sports as the NBA, NHL, MLB, WNBA, PGA, LPGA and UFC were all in action, New York Mets OF Yoenis Cespedes was a no-show at the team’s game in Atlanta yesterday after deciding to opt out of the remainder of the season, and the NFL is having COVID problems as Eagles head coach Doug Pederson tests positive and starting QBs Gardner Minshew II and Matthew Stafford were both placed on the NFL’s COVID-19 list. PLUS: Mookie Betts goes swimming, Kawhi Leonard has bunny ears, Arsenal wins then drops the FA trophy, and more from the weekend sports bonanza.

Video Transcript

- Antetokounmpo, as Harden tries to get the charge, count the basket and the foul. He just kept playing.

JARED QUAY: I'm probably just out of practice, but there was so many sports this weekend, I had trouble following 'em all. There was basketball--

- --with a defensive play. Harden drives, offensive foul.

JARED QUAY: --baseball--

- Oh!

- Oh my goodness! Aaron Judge has done it again! Homers in five straight!

JARED QUAY: --hockey. I don't watch hockey, but when sports come back, I watch hockey.

- He'll walk in, hand off in deep. They score! Beautiful play!

JARED QUAY: Hell, Saturday alone had more action than the last four months combined. Later we'll show you everything you need to see from the weekend. But first, the Mets have a runner. On Sunday, outfielder Yoenis Cespedes informed the Mets that he is opting out of the rest of the season. Now that part ain't surprising. Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain did the exact same thing on Saturday.

- That's not at all surprising.

JARED QUAY: What is surprising is, he ain't tell the team! He just didn't show up for the game against the Braves in Atlanta. Now if you've been paying attention you already know, Atlanta's a pretty dangerous place for athletes right now. Just ask the Marlins about their pub crawl, or Lou Williams about them chicken wings at Magic City.

- Hey, who wants some chicken wings?

JARED QUAY: Well the Mets sent security to his hotel room and found it completely empty.

[DRAMATIC MUSIC]

He told 'em mid-game that he's opting out. But up until then, they probably thought he got tooken.

- They're going to take you.

JARED QUAY: Look, I feel you, Yoenis. I mean, the way the Rona's spreading around sports, it's best to leave without a trace.

- He's gone.

JARED QUAY: Multiple new Cardinals tested positive yesterday, putting their season in doubt. And Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez already beat the Rona, but is out for this season with COVID-related heart problems. And it ain't just the MLB.

- I can see where this is going.

JARED QUAY: This weekend alone, the NFL put Gardner Minshew and Matthew Stafford on the COVID reserve list. And the number of healthy opt-outs is growing by the hour. I mean, do the Patriots even got a defense at this point?

- Most unlikely.

JARED QUAY: Look, America, I don't know if sports are going to back for a long time. But they're back now and they are spectacular. Show 'em some highlights from the weekend.

- The pitch, Betts swings and drives the ball the other way. Calhoun back on it, to the track, at the wall, there it goes! Mookie Betts into to the pool for a home run!

- --defensively trying to go for the steal. Tatum dribbles away, kicks it out in the corner, three-pointer Brown, puts it in! Jaylen Brown from downtown.

- Daddy! Yes!

- --to Arsenal than any other football club.

- Beautifully done. [INAUDIBLE] threads that needle.

- Boy, it's one of those games for the Clippers, boy, you can just sit there and enjoy. Look at-- look at the look he's got.

- So the young man--

- Oh, man. That was--

- Set up for a double-play. That's a double-play! Wow. Junis is living right today.

- Shot clock down to :06, finds Warren.

- Let it go.

- Here's a long three.

- Ooh, yeah!

- Good for 53!

- Oh yeah!