PHOENIX – Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Mike Leake informed the organization that he will choose not to participate in the shortened 2020 season. D-back general manager Mike Hazen did not elaborate on the reasons that Leake gave, citing the personal nature of those conversations. The right-handed pitcher is the first known Major League Baseball player to unsubscribe.
Leake was on the Diamondbacks 60-man list that was announced Monday morning, but the organization will now make other plans.
Leake’s agent Danny Horwits explained his client’s decision.
During this global pandemic, Mike and his family had a lot of discussions about playing this season. They took countless factors into account, many of which are personal to him and his family. After careful consideration, he has chosen not to participate in 2020. This was not an easy decision for Mike. He wishes the best of luck and health to his Diamondback teammates this season and is looking forward to 2021. “
Leake was originally slated to earn $ 15 million this season, the last year of his contract before reaching free agency. If Leake will be credited for length of service and will pay this year if she’s opting for COVID-19’s health concerns, Hazen didn’t want to comment without fully understanding the details at this time.
The former Arizona State ace joined the Diamondbacks in the mid-2019 season in an exchange from Seattle. In 10 starts with the D-backs, Leake was 3-3 with a 4.35 ERA. He was slated to be a back-end rotation starter, but he had doubts about being ready for the season opener before the pandemic due to a wrist injury in Spring Training.
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