Long-time MLB veteran and Dodgers starting pitcher David Price has decided to opt-out of the 2020 MLB season due to health concerns regarding COVID-19.
Price posted a statement on social media on Saturday stating that he would not participate in the upcoming season in order to mitigate risk for himself and his family.
The left-handed pitcher’s concerns are largely thought to be due to his two children, both of whom are under the age of 4. Price was due to make a pro-rated salary of over $11 million had he taken part in this season’s action.
The five-time All-Star and 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner, the owner of a career 150-80 and 3.34 ERA is the biggest star in the game to opt-out of the 2020 season thus far, though speculation remains that more are still to come.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said that in ongoing talks with the starter, “My role in this has been just to support him through it and not have any rooting interest in what is a very personal decision.”
The Tennessee native, who was acquired by the Dodgers in a trade with the Red Sox during the offseason, will wait until 2021 to make his debut in Los Angeles.
