Braves’ Markakis opts out of season as virus specter looms
Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis has opted out of the 2020 season.
Markakis, 36, said he was uneasy about playing the season without fans and then was swayed by his telephone conversation with teammate Freddie Freeman, who has tested positive for COVID-19 and has fever and other symptoms.
“Just hearing him, the way he sounded on the phone, it was tough,” Markakis said Monday. “It was kind of eyeopening. What everything that’s going on, not just with baseball but all over the world, it makes you open your eyes.”
Markakis became the second Braves player to opt out. Over the weekend, pitcher Felix Hernandez said he wouldn’t play this year.
Dodgers pitcher David Price, Washington infielder Ryan Zimmerman, who grew up in Virginia Beach, and Colorado outfielder Ian Desmond are among the other players who have opted out.
Canceled workouts
Baseball’s 2019 World Series teams canceled workouts Monday because of testing delays that one executive worried could endanger the season.
The defending champion Washington Nationals and reigning American League champion Houston Astros each called off training camp practices after not receiving test results from Friday. The cancellations come amid delays around Major League Baseball, with some players opting out, and in the aftermath of Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle criticizing slow test results and a lack of some personal protective equipment.
“Without accurate and timely testing, it is simply not safe for us to continue with summer camp,” Washington general manager Mike Rizzo said. “Major League Baseball needs to work quickly to resolve issues with their process and their lab. Otherwise, summer camp and the 2020 season are at risk.”
Schedule announced
Mookie Betts, Gerrit Cole and a pair of high-profile matchups are set for opening day as MLB begins its shortened 60-game season July 23 in ballparks without fans amid the coronavirus pandemic.
MLB released the schedule Monday, and it starts with two games. Cole and the New York Yankees visit the Nationals at 7:08 p.m., then Betts and his new Los Angeles Dodgers teammates host the San Francisco Giants at 10:08 p.m.
There are 14 games on July 24, including the first matchup at new Globe Life Field in Texas when the Rangers take on Colorado. The same day, former Nationals star Anthony Rendon and the Los Angeles Angels visit Oakland and the Cincinnati Reds host Detroit. Still, players are worried.
“Sixty games looks pretty good on paper, but when you go through it day by day, it gets more difficult to kind of see that, the end of the finish line,” Minnesota Twins catcher Mitch Garver said. “There’s a ton of players out there quoted saying this, but it almost feels like you’re waiting on bad news, right? You’re just waiting on somebody’s camp to break out. You’re waiting for travel restrictions to be shut down across the nation. You’re waiting for a second wave, where things become unplayable and sports take a backseat.”
The season ends Sept. 27, with all 30 teams starting their games at 3 p.m. EDT to possibly make for a final-day playoff scramble. Most games this season, however, are at night.
Teams will play 40 games against their division opponents. The other 20 will be interleague games, including six against a natural opponent, taking on clubs in their corresponding geographic region — East vs. East, for example.
Elsewhere
Texas Rangers slugger Joey Gallo tested positive for the coronavirus, though the team said the All-Star right fielder is asymptomatic.
General manager Jon Daniels said Monday that Gallo is isolated at his apartment in Dallas and not around teammates. Daniels said Gallo told him that he feels as good as he ever has.
Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said shortstop Luis Urias and pitcher Angel Perdomo tested positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic.
The San Francisco Giants say two more people with the team are positive for the coronavirus following intake testing. The Giants did not specify whether the two are players, coaches or other staff. Prospect Hunter Bishop and pitcher Luis Madero, in the 60-player pool, had already tested positive.