King Felix opts out of season due to virus concerns

Former Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez has joined the list of major leaguers opting out of the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, at least temporarily ending the 34-year-old’s bid to revive his career.

Stars Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers and Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros said Sunday they plan to play the 60-game season scheduled to start later this month. Reliever Sean Doolittle, who helped Washington win the World Series last year, plans to play but says that if he feels uncomfortable, he’ll opt out. He also wondered if the United States has done enough to combat the pandemic to deserve a return to sports.

Astros

Houston shortstop Carlos Correa is so serious about not contracting the coronavirus that he’s asked his wife, Daniella, a former pageant queen, to stay out of beauty salons until the season is over.

“When I talk to my wife she knows,” he said. “No getting your nails done. No getting your hair done right now. So we’re going to be home. We’re going to focus on the baseball season and once everything is done, then you can go to get your nails done and do everything else.”

Correa’s wife was Miss Texas in 2016. The pair wed in the Dominican Republic in December.

“We know what it takes to make the season possible,” he said. “What we’re doing is we come to work out and we go back to our houses. I think that’s the key … I think if we can keep it simple. Simple as come get your work in and go back home, get some rest, I think we’ll be able to be fine.”

Yankees

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. They’re hoping Yankee Stadium’s lights will do the same this week.

The Yankees are planning to hold intrasquad night games Monday and Tuesday. The 7 p.m. scrimmages will both air on YES Network, giving fans a glimpse at the defending AL East champions. Left-hander J.A. Happ is expected to start against young right-hander Clarke Schmidt on Monday, and new ace Gerrit Cole is set to pitch Tuesday.