The New York Yankees manager Aaron Judge announced yesterday during the first day of summer camp workouts, that no Yankee players to date, have opted out of playing during this coronavirus season. The agreement between MLB and MLBPA (players union) states that any player that feels uncomfortable with playing during the pandemic may opt-out.
The Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout, whose wife is pregnant expressed his reservations about playing during the pandemic but as of today is going to play. The New York Yankees Gerrit Cole who just had a baby boy is excited to play. Not all MLB players are a go on the season. Most notable is the new Los Angeles Dodger, former Red Sox Mookie Betts.
The Los Angeles Dodgers got a double hit when new pitcher David Price announced he will opt-out. The Dodgers also got him from the Red Sox. The new Atlanta Brave Felix Hernandez has opted out of the season. Others who have opted out are the Washington Nationals Ryan Zimmerman, Wellington Castillo, and Joe Ross, the Colorado Rockie Ian Desmond, and the Giants Tyson Ross.
That list will surely grow in the coming days and weeks as more players consider their personal situations and health situations around the United States. Black Snell of the Tampa Bay Rays who made so much noise during the MLB MLBPA negotiations, that he was putting his life in danger, and would not play for a reduced salary, has not announced that he will not play.
The latest on New York Yankees players health
The latest scare to Yankee player health came yesterday when pitcher Masahiro Tanaka took a rocket of a comebacker to the head. He was pitching to teammate Giancarlo Stanton who hit an off speed ball directly to Tanaka’s head. Tanaka immediately fell to the ground and lay motionless for several moments. Tanaka was taken to the hospital for an MRI and tests. He was released last evening, and Tweeted that he was “all good.” The next few days will be telling for his condition and if he will miss significant playing time.
James Paxton, Giancarlo Stanton, and Aaron Hicks are ready for the season to start. There still remains a question as to if Aaron Judge will be ready for a 60 game season over 66 days, due to his healing fractured rib. Recent days have shown that he may be further along in his rehab than previously thought. He was hitting homers at a prep school before camp and yesterday was doing the same against Gerrit Cole pitching. Cole offered that his swing is great and he sees no pain.
The Yankees did report that DJ LeMahieu and Luis Cessa tested positive for the coronavirus. However, it should be noted that they never reached Yankee Stadium as they are self quarantining at their homes. LeMahieu is reportedly asymptomatic, while Cessa has mild symptoms. Both players gave the Yankees permission to release their names.