The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forced Major League Baseball to cancel the remainder of Spring Training and postpone the start of the 2020 season. When a 60-game schedule was finally imposed by commissioner Rob Manfred, players had the choice of opting out.
For the Los Angeles Dodgers, this amounted to David Price exercising that right. The left-hander impressed during the early portion of Spring Training and left a sizable void in the rotation, but the organization nonetheless was understanding of his decision.
Price’s absence created more opportunities for the likes of Ross Stripling, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Julio Urias.