Several notable players have chosen to exit the season due to the coronavirus, and superstars like Mike Trout and Kris Bryant have expressed concern about playing in 2020. Trout, whose wife is pregnant, said on July 3: “Honestly, I still don’t feel comfortable with the baby’s arrival.” But the center fielder erased any doubts about his condition for this season on Wednesday (Twitter links via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic).
“I’m playing,” said the three-time MVP of the American League.
Trout’s biggest concern is that the league will experience a COVID-19 outbreak, though so far it has approved MLB’s health and safety protocols, according to Ardaya. In particular, the latest coronavirus test results released by the league and union last week offered encouraging news.
The fact that Trout plans to hit the field this year is not only great for the Angels, who will need their best player if they are to face a five-year playoff drought, but sport in general. Trout has been the game’s most prominent player throughout his career, and at just 28 years old, he’s already an eight-time All-Star looking like a padlock to eventually enter the Baseball Hall of Fame. He returned to otherworldly production once again last season with a .291 / .438 / .645 line and 45 home runs in 600 plate appearances.
