David Price Deems COVID-19 Too High a Price; Will Not Pitch in 2020

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price announced via social media that he will not pitch during the 2020 season due to concerns about COVID-19.

Price deemed the risk of COVID-19 to be too high a price stating, "I have decided that it is in the best interest of my health and my family's health not to play this season."

The 34-year old southpaw was acquired by the Dodgers in February along with Mookie Betts from the Boston Red Sox with whom the pair earned a World Series ring in 2018. Price, who made his MLB debut in 2008 with the Tampa Bay Rays has also pitched with the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays before joining the Red Sox in 2016. Price has been named to 5 AL All-Star Teams and earned the AL Cy Young Award while with the Rays in 2012. He entered the 2020 season with a record of 150-80 with 3.31 ERA in 331 big league appearances (321 starts) and is nearing 2,000 career strikeouts.

Price joins Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Leake, Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals catcher Wellington Castillo, Washington Nationals pitcher Joe Ross along with his brother free agent pitcher Tyler Ross who have opted out of playing this season due to COVID-19.

No doubt there will be more to follow over the next three weeks when the season is due to begin on either July 23rd or 24th.