Players Opting Out Of 2020 MLB Season

Several Major League players have decided to opt out of the upcoming shortened seasons due to health concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak.

Infielder Ryan Zimmerman and pitcher Joe Ross will bypass the opportunity to help the Nationals defend their World Series title, and Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Leake and Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond informed their teams they will sit out as well. Zimmerman has spent all 15 of his major league seasons with Washington, while Desmond had 20 home runs and 65 RBIs for Colorado last year.

The Blue Jays have told their players to report to their spring training facility in Florida as they continue to await word from Canadian officials as to whether they’ll be able to play home games in Toronto.

Ontario premier Doug Ford said the province is close to approving MLB’s return to play plan, but it would still need the support of the Canadian Public Health agency. Canada’s border with the United States remains closed as part of its efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and the Blue Jays could run into further issues if they play games at their spring training complex, which was recently closed after several players and staff members tested positive for COVID-19.