San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Dodgers’ Price to opt out of 2020 season
Dodgers pitcher David Price will not play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, delaying his team 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. On Saturday, San Francisco catcher Buster Posey said “there’s still some reservation on my end” about playing.
First baseman Ryan Zimmerman of the World Series champion Washington Nationals, Colorado outfielder Ian Desmond and Arizona pitcher Mike Leake are among those who have already said they’re out this year.
The Dodgers got Price and former AL MVP Mookie Betts from Boston in a February trade for outfielder Alex Verdugo and prospects.
Price was going to make $32 million this season before the virus shut down the sport.
In his Twitter note addressed to Dodgers Nation, Price said, “I’m sorry I won’t be playing for you this year, but look forward to representing you next year.”
Tanaka hit in head by line drive in camp
Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was alert and sent to a hospital after being hit in the head by a line drive off the bat of slugger Giancarlo Stanton during live batting practice Saturday, a frightening scene during the team’s first official summer camp workout.
Tanaka’s hat flew off and he immediately collapsed to the ground, cradling his head at Yankee Stadium. Trainers quickly ran to Tanaka, who stayed down for a few minutes before sitting up.
Trainers tended to his head and appeared to check his vision. Tanaka was helped to his feet and walked off the field with help.
The Yankees said in a statement that Tanaka was responsive and walking under his own power. He was sent to New York-Presbyterian Hospital for further evaluation and released later Saturday.
Stanton, who had his jaw broken by a high fastball in
2014, bent over at home plate and watched motionlessly.
Stanton was the third batter Tanaka faced to start the session, and no protective screen was in place.
Freeman, teammates test positive for virus
Atlanta Braves four-time All-Star Freddie Freeman, premier reliever Will Smith and two teammates have tested positive for the coronavirus, a jarring hit to the NL East champions less than three weeks before the start of the pandemic-delayed season.
“It will be a while before we can get him back,” manager Brian Snitker said Saturday about Freeman.
Snitker said the four players, including right-hander Touki Toussaint and infielder Pete Kozma, agreed to have the team disclose their positive tests.
Snitker said Freeman had a negative intake test early in the week before having a positive test on Friday. Snitker said the first baseman has a fever and “is not feeling great.”
Snitker said Smith and Toussaint have no symptoms. He said Kozma, who is working with top minor leaguers at the team’s Triple-A Gwinnett facility, has a fever.
Another four-time All-Star, Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon, had been baseball’s biggest star to test positive before Freeman. A pair of Twins players, catcher Willians Astudillo and first baseman Miguel Sano also recently tested positive for COVID-19, as did the Padres’ Tommy Pham. The Phillies placed Aaron Nola, Adam Haseley and Christian Bethancourt on the COVID-19 injured list, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Yankees All-Star infielder DJ LeMahieu and right-hander Luis Cessa tested positive for the coronavirus before traveling to New York for preseason camp and are self-isolating at home.
Snitker also said first base coach Eric Young Sr., 53, has opted out of for the season because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. DeMarlo Hale will fill in to coach outfielders and serve as the first base coach.
Braves not pondering change to team name
With teams in two sports taking a second look at names deemed offensive to Native Americans, the Atlanta Braves on Saturday gave no indication they are willing to consider a similar change.
The Braves released a statement saying the team “honors, supports, and values the Native American community. That will never change.”
The Braves have not said if they will encourage the tomahawk chop and chant this season. The chant caused a stir in last year’s NL Division Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.