Which players are opting out of 2020 MLB season

Major League Baseball players are returning to facilities to prepare for the 2020 season, and we are starting to get word of those who will not be taking part. Players have the option to opt out of a season set to be played during the Covid-19 pandemic. If a player is deemed by a joint physician and MLB committee a high-risk threat to catch the virus, he will receive his pay. If a player simply is not comfortable playing during the pandemic, he does not have to play, but he will not get paid.

Opt-out news is starting to arrive as June comes to a close. Players are reporting to their facilities for Covid-19 testing, with spring training starting later in the week. The season is slated to start July 23rd, which means decisions are due soon.

We’ll be tracking updates as they come in. Below are the players who are opting out of the coming season.

Welington Castillo, C, Washington Nationals (link)
Ian Desmond, OF, Colorado Rockies (link)
Felix Hernandez, SP, Atlanta Braves (link)
Jordan Hicks, RP, St. Louis Cardinals (link)
Michael Kopech, SP, Chicago White Sox (link)
Mike Leake, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks (link)
Nick Markakis, OF, Atlanta Braves (link)
Hector Noesi, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates (link)
Buster Posey, C, San Francisco Giants (link)
David Price, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers (link)
Joe Ross, P, Washington Nationals (link)
Tyson Ross, P, FA (link)
Ryan Zimmerman, 1B, Washington Nationals (link)