Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman officially retired from the 2020 MLB season on Monday, just days after expressing his apprehension at the idea of playing during the coronavirus pandemic.
The two-time All-Star joined teammate and Nationals pitcher Joe Ross, as well as Diamondbacks Mike Leake, in the first wave of known MLB players to opt out of the season.
“After much thought and considering my family’s circumstances (three young children, including a newborn and a high-risk mother), I decided not to participate in the 2020 season,” the 35-year-old said in a statement. . “Everyone knows how much it means to be part of a team, and I will really miss that camaraderie this year. Of course I would love to search for consecutive titles. I can’t speak for anyone else, but given the unusual nature of the season, this is the best decision for me and my family, and I really appreciate the organization’s understanding and support.
“To be clear, I am not retiring at this time. I haven’t decided my future in baseball after 2020. But this year, I will stay safe at home and push as hard as anybody to have the boys defend our championship. “
MLB owners and players recently reached an agreement on the logistics of a 60-game season, which includes players who receive a full prorated payout.
Zimmerman, who signed a one-year, $ 2 million extension with the Nationals, thus loses $ 740,000 by not playing. He has earned about $ 140 million in 14 seasons with the Nationals.
Zimmerman looked awkward last week at the idea of playing.
“I have a 3-week-old baby,” he wrote in a first-person column for The Associated Press. “My mother has multiple sclerosis and is at a super high risk; if I end up playing, I can rule out the idea of seeing her until weeks after the season ends. “
Zimmerman, who was selected fourth overall by the Nationals in 2005, posted a .257 batting average in 52 games last season, along with 27 RBIs and six home runs. He struggled with a foot injury that left him out for part of the 2019 season.
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