Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price announced on Saturday that he is choosing not to participate in the MLB 2020 season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Several players from across the league have tested positive as teams gather for training camp ahead of the planned 60-game season.
“After much thought and discussion with my family and the Dodgers, I have decided that it is in my best health and that of my family not to play this season,” the 34-year-old pitcher wrote on Twitter. “I will miss my teammates and cheer them on throughout the season and achieve a World Series victory. I regret not playing for you this year, but I hope to represent you next year.”
The price was acquired by the Dodgers through trade in February. The team released a statement supporting Price.
“The Dodgers fully support David’s decision to stay out of the 2020 season,” the team said, according to CBS Los Angeles. “We have been in constant contact with David and understand how much this deliberation weighed on him and his family. We know that he will be very supportive of the club every day and we look forward to having him back with us in 2021.”
Price is now the seventh player in choose to exit the 2020 season.
As teams continue to prepare for the 2020 season, which is slated to begin in late July, several players from across the league have tested positive. New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced that DJ LeMehieu and Luis Cessa tested positive.
Four Atlanta Braves players, including first-base star Freddie Freeman, also tested positive, the team reported. Four Miami Marlins players also tested positive, but their identities were not disclosed.
According to CBS Sports, 1.2% of MLB player testing has been positive so far.
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