Price opts not to play during pandemic
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price will not play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, delaying his L.A. debut until next year.
The five-time all-star, who helped the Blue Jays reach the American League championship series in 2015, became the latest player to opt out, posting Saturday on Twitter that he wouldn’t participate in the 60game season that is 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,” Price said. The 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.
Washington first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, Colorado outfielder Ian Desmond and Arizona pitcher Mike Leake are among those who have already said they’re out this year.
The list of players who have tested positive also continued to grow Saturday, with Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman, Kansas City catcher Sal Perez, Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu and Philadelphia pitcher Aaron Nola among the biggest names.
The Dodgers got Price and former AL MVP Mookie Betts from Boston in a February trade for outfielder Alex Verdugo and prospects. The 34-yearold Price made two starts in spring training for the Dodgers, striking out 10 in 4 1⁄ innings 3 before all camps were closed March 12 because of the virus outbreak.
“The Dodgers fully support David’s decision to sit out the 2020 season,” the team said in a statement.
Price has a seven-year, $217million 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.
Price was 7-5 with a 4.28 ERA for Boston last year.
Price had already made his own contribution to the Dodgers organization.
In late May, Price said he would give $1,000 each to 220 minor-leaguers to help offset their costs. There will be no minor-league baseball this year because of the pandemic.