Mikaela Lefrak
When the Washington Nationals return to the ball field for workouts later this week in advance of the shortened 2020 season, the face of the franchise won’t be with them.
Infielder Ryan Zimmerman announced today he won’t be participating in the 60-game MLB season. Neither will right-handed pitcher Joe Ross.
Zimmerman is the longest standing member of the Nationals roster. He was drafted by the Nats in 2005, the same year the franchise relocated from Montreal to D.C.
In a statement, Zimmerman said he made the decision out of concern for his family’s health. He has three children, including a newborn, and a mother at high risk for contracting COVID-19 due to having multiple sclerosis. He is not, however, retiring from the game at this time.
He detailed his internal debate over participating in the upcoming season in an AP News diary published last week. “I am by no means someone who thinks we all need to hide in our houses until a vaccine is found. That’s not feasible for anybody,” he wrote. “We just need to do things in a sensible, smart way.”
— CAA Baseball (@CAA_Baseball) June 29, 2020
He also wrote about his concerns about traveling from city to city during the season. The NBA and NHL will not require teams to travel at the same frequency.
Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo said the franchise stands by the two players’ decision. “We are 100 percent supportive of their decision to not play this year. We will miss their presence in the clubhouse and their contributions on the field,” he said in a statement released by the club.
Players have the option to opt out of the 2020, but they will only receive their full (yet prorated) salary if they are considered at high risk of COVID-19.
The defending World Series champs will start workouts later this week in advance of Opening Day against the New York Yankees on July 23rd. No fans will be allowed into Nationals Park for the games.
