Yoenis Cespedes opts out of 2020 season

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has decided to opt out of the remainder of the 2020 MLB season.

When it was time to start Sunday’s game between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves Yoenis Cespedes was nowhere to be seen. After some time where there was concern about his whereabouts and safety, Cespedes made it known that he was opting out of the 2020 MLB season.

Mets oufielder Yoenis Cespedes has opted out of the 2020 season, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen says.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 2, 2020

The situation was not handled great on either side. Cespedes did not inform the team of his intentions and simply did not show up. Meanwhile, the Mets released a statement that made it seem like Cespedes was in some sort of danger.

“Our attempts to contact (Yoenis Céspedes) have been unsuccessful,” the Mets said in a statement. pic.twitter.com/k8lBurm6bo
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) August 2, 2020

Thankfully Cespedes was not in danger and decided that he was done playing this season. Again, Cespedes could have handled this better.

Apparently Cespedes’ agent informed the club during the game that he was opting out.

When Yoenis Cespedes didn't show up today, the Mets sent security to his room. They found it empty. He had taken his belongings, just up and left, and through his agent informed the team mid-game that he was opting out, according to Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 2, 2020

According to a report in The Athletic, Yoenis Cespedes has a family member with a pre-existing condition. With an outbreak in Miami and possibly another in St. Louis it may have led to Cespedes reevaluating the landscape of attempting to play baseball during a pandemic and ultimately deciding to opt out.

InMLB, New York Mets, Yoenis Cespedes

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has decided to opt out of the remainder of the 2020 MLB season.

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