Jul 5, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, United States; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kohl Stewart (53) works out at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kohl Stewart made the tough decision to opt out of the 2020 MLB season due to underlying health concerns.
Dan Connolly of The Athletic shared that Stewart made the decision on Friday morning.
After Stewart made the decision to opt out of the season, Roch Kubatko of MASN shared that the Orioles placed him on the injured list and removed him from the 60-man player pool. The team also added pitcher Thomas Eshelman from its Bowie alternate site in a corresponding move.
Stewart signed with Baltimore last December after the Minnesota Twins let him go following the 2019 MLB season.
The former fourth overall selection out of high school in 2013, Stewart was finally called up to the majors in 2018. That season, he went 2-1 with a 3.68 ERA in eight appearances, making four starts. Then in 2019, Stewart regressed, going 2-2 with a 6.39 ERA and a 1.461 WHIP.