Price, Hernandez the latest to opt out of season
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price will not play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, delaying his Los Angeles debut until next year.
The five-time All-Star became the latest player to opt out, posting Saturday on Twitter that he wouldn’t participate in the 60-game season that’s scheduled to begin July 23.
“After considerable thought and discussion with my family and the Dodgers, I have decided it is in the best interest of my health and my family’s health for me to not play this season,” he said.
Price’s announcement came a day after Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout said he wasn’t “comfortable” with the current climate and might not play. Also Saturday, San Francisco catcher Buster Posey said “there’s still some reservation on my end” about playing.
The 34-year-old Price made two starts in spring training for the Dodgers, striking out 10 in 4 1⁄3 innings before all camps were closed March 12 because of the virus outbreak.
Price has a $217 million, seven-year contract that runs through 2021. He was going to make $32 million this season, with the Red Sox paying $16 million of that, before the virus shut down the sport.
ELSEWHERE
Former Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez has opted out of the 2020 season, at least temporarily ending his bid to revive his career with Atlanta. Braves manager Brian Snitker said Sunday that Hernandez, 34, made the decision after Hernandez participated in workouts
Price
Hernandez
on Friday and Saturday at Truist Park. Hernandez, a six-time All-Star in 15 seasons with Seattle who won the 2010 AL Cy Young Award, needed a fresh start following 2019, his worst season. The righthander called King Felix posted a 6.40 ERA, was 1-8 in 15 starts and lost his spot in the rotation . ... With teams in two sports taking a second look at names deemed offensive to Native Americans, the Braves gave no indication they are willing to consider a similar change. The Cleveland Indians said Friday they’re reconsidering their nickname following the furor over the NFL Washington Redskins name. The Braves released a statement saying the team “honors, supports, and values the Native American community. That will never change.” The team said in recent months it has “created an even stronger bond with various Native American tribes, both regionally and nationally, on matters related to the Braves and Native American culture.”
The Yankees had their Sunday brightened by Masahiro Tanaka, who came to the ballpark and seemed well a day after being hit in the head by Giancarlo Stanton’s line drive. Tanaka was released from the hospital Saturday night after a CT scan came back negative, and he is in concussion protocol. Boone is cautiously optimistic Tanaka could be ready by opening day . ... All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman and catcher Gary Sanchez took the field Sunday after missing Saturday’s workout. They arrived in New York a day later than teammates due to travel issues and had to wait for results from intake virus testing.
Chicago announced two players tested positive for COVID-19. The White Sox did not disclose the names and said in a news release that the players requested privacy at this time. Both players are asymptomatic and have been isolated in Chicago, the team said. The Sox medical staff is monitoring the players, and follow-up testing will take place in the coming days. The players can return after they have recorded consecutive negative tests and passed COVID-19 protocols.
Milwaukee veteran Ryan Braun said he’s more likely to continue playing beyond 2020 because of the unusual circumstances of this pandemic-shortened season. Braun, who played at UM, said in January that he was considering retiring after the season. He is more bullish on his baseball future now after the Brewers held the first full-squad workout this weekend. Braun, the 2011 NL MVP, is entering the final season of a five-year, $105 million contract and will turn 37 in November.
Zack Wheeler, who’s wife Dominique is expecting the couple’s first child later this month, is unsure if he will play in this season’s shortened 60-game season. Wheeler was signed as a free agent in the offseason to the richest free-agent contract for a pitcher in franchise history — $118 million.
Left-hander
Andrew Heaney is expected to make his first opening day start for the Los Angeles, the Angels’ fourth different opening day starter in four years.