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List of MLB Players Sitting Out of 2020 Season: Updated

Sascha Paruk

by Sascha Paruk in MLB Baseball

Updated Jul 28, 2020 · 9:08 AM PDT

Washington Nationals 1B Ryan Zimmerman walking off the field
Washington Nationals 1B Ryan Zimmerman was one of the first players to announce he would be sitting out of the shortened 2020 MLB season. Photo by Lorie Shaull (flickr).
  • The 2020 MLB season will finally begin on July 23rd
  • Several players have already announced they will sit out, largely due to health risks to themselves and/or families
  • The table below lists all players sitting out and is updated routinely

The 2020 MLB season will finally have its long-postponed opening day on July 23rd or 24th (still TBD). The league and MLBPA failed to reach a comprehensive agreement on how to execute this shortened season. Ultimately, the league set a 60-game schedule pursuant to a power granted to it in a previous agreement between the parties. The MLBPA will file a grievance in due course, pursuant to the same agreement.

As baseball returns from its coronavirus hiatus, a growing number of players are opting to sit out due to health risks posed to themselves and/or their families. The table below lists all the players who have announced they are sitting out. The list is alphabetical, first by team, second by player.

Table last updated July 15, 1:31 pm ET.

Player Team Notes
Felix Hernandez (P) Atlanta Braves Opted out July 4
Nick Markakis (RF) Atlanta Braves Opted out July 6
Mike Leake (P) Arizona Diamondbacks Opted out June 29
Michael Kopech (P) Chicago White Sox Opted out July 12
Ian Desmond (OF) Colorado Rockies Opted out June 29
David Price (P) LA Dodgers Opted out July 4
Hector Noesi (P) Pittsburgh Pirates Opted out July 8
Buster Posey (C) SF Giants Opted out July 10
Jordan Hicks (P) St Louis Cardinals Opted out July 14
Welington Castillo (C) Washington Nationals Opted out July 3
Joe Ross (P) Washington Nationals Opted out June 29
Ryan Zimmerman (1B)  Washington Nationals Opted out June 29

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