By Anthony Caruso III | Publisher
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price has opted out of the 2020 MLB season. Price was acquired in the off-season by the Dodgers in a blockbuster deal with the Boston Red Sox.
The Dodgers will now have to wait until 2021 to see the pitcher put on their uniform in an actual game. He will have two years left on his deal despite not playing in this upcoming 60-game season.
Former Boston Red Sox pitcher David Price looks on during a team workout before the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers
David Price looks on during a team workout before the 2018 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers (Getty Images)
“After considerable thought and discussion with my family and the Dodgers, I have decided it is in the best interest of my health and my family’s health for me to not play this season,” Price said in a statement on Twitter. “I will miss my teammates and will be cheering for them throughout the season and on to a World Series victory. I’m sorry I won’t be playing for you this year, but look forward to representing you next year.”
Price is expected to lose his entire 2020 salary by missing the season. His prorated salary would have been a portion of his $32 million salary.
Had he played, his salary would have been around $5-6 million. However, since he is electing not to play, he will lose service time credit by missing the season.
The pitcher is the latest player to actually back out of their agreement for this season in order to miss the season. Other players to opt out of the season including Washington Nationals players Ryan Zimmerman and Joe Ross, Colorado Rockies player Ian Desmond, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Leake, and others.
The Dodgers say that they support Price’s decision.
“[The Dodgers] fully support David’s decision to sit out the 2020 season,” the team said in a statement. “We have been in constant contact with David and we understand how much this deliberation weighed on him and his family. We know he’ll be rooting hard for the club every day and look forward to having him back with us in 2021.
