Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Leake announced Monday he was opting out of the 2020 season, becoming the first MLB player to officially do so. That was followed shortly after by Washington Nationals teammates Ryan Zimmerman and Joe Ross doing the same.
Colorado Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond also joined the group, announcing his decision on Instagram. Desmond made his decision know at the end of a lengthy essay in which he addressed a wide array of issues plaguing clubhouses and the sport as a whole.
Desmond also made it clear he doesn’t feel comfortable taking the risk this season due to having a pregnant wife and four young children at home.