Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher David Price announced he is opting out of the 2020 season, become the latest MLB player to give up playing this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dodgers’ David Price will sit out the 2020 MLB season
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired David Price as part of the blockbuster trade for Mookie Betts in February. While the team was hopeful the 34-year-old southpaw would shine as the No. 3 starter, he will not take part in the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Price, who is married and has two young children, opts to take the safest approach for the health of him and his family. While he spent significant time weighing the decision, it ultimately came just a day after MLB announced 31 players already tested positive for COVID-19 before spring training 2.0 even began.
While David Price’s stats, a 4.28 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 2019 showcase some struggles, he was outstanding when healthy. He recorded a 3.24 ERA in 83.1 innings before the All-Star Break and he posted an 82/15 K/BB ratio in his first 14 starts.
MLB players sitting out 2020 season
As more MLB players begin to test positive for COVID-19, several of their peers are announcing they won’t play baseball this season. While Price, a five-time All-Star pitcher and the 2012 Cy Young Award recipient, is the biggest name to opt-out, he isn’t the first to do so and won’t be the last.
- Washington Nationals catcher Welington Castillo will not play this year.
- Colorado Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond won’t take part this season.
- Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and pitcher Joe Ross both opted out of playing.
- Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Leake is sitting out the 2020 season.