No-show Cespedes decides to opt out

Yoenis Cespedes has decided to opt out of the 2020 MLB season. The news comes hours after the Mets released a statement they were unable to get in contact with him after he failed to show up for the Sunday afternoon game in Atlanta.

“It’s disappointing,” general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said. “This is a disappointing end at least to his four-year agreement with the Mets.”

The GM maintained the team had no knowledge of Cespedes’ plan to opt out before sending their statement out before game time on Sunday.

Van Wagenen explained his statement was made in an effort to be transparent and keep the public informed, “in real time,” the GM said later.

“As of game time, Yoenis Cespedes has not reported to the ballpark today,” Van Wagenen said..

“He did not reach out to management with any explanation for his absence. Our attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful.”

The Mets had sent security to Cespedes’ hotel room after being unable to contact him. They found his belongings were packed away and gone from the room.

When the New York Mets finally found out Cespedes was OK, they suddenly learned something else: The slugger had decided to opt out of playing the rest of this season.

Cardinals

St. Louis had multiple new positive results for the coronavirus within the organization as a result of Saturday’s testing. Sunday’s testing is being fast-tracked and St. Louis is expecting to have the latest results sometime Monday.

Tigers

Reliever Tyler Alexander struck out the first nine batters he faced Sunday, tying the American League record for consecutive strikeouts in Detroit’s 4-3 loss to Cincinnati in the opener of a doubleheader. His streak ended in the top of the sixth, one short of Tom Seaver’s major league record, when he hit Mike Moustakas.

Rockies

Colorado might be without reliever Scott Oberg for the rest of the season after he developed blood clots in his right arm for a third time in his career. Manager Bud Black said Oberg felt some discomfort in his hand during a throwing session.

Brewers

Bench coach Pat Murphy suffered a heart attack during a Saturday team workout at Miller Park, but team officials said he was resting comfortably and should be out of the hospital later this week.

Indians

Cleveland manager Terry Francona left the team before its game at Minnesota due to what the Indians said was a minor gastrointestinal condition not related to COVID-19.

Reds

First baseman Joey Votto was placed on the injured list before the doubleheader with Detroit. The team specified that Votto, a six-time All-Star, is not on the 10-day injured list.