LOS ANGELES — David Price has become the first Dodgers player to opt out of the 2020 season.
The left-hander made his announcement on social media Saturday afternoon, the second day of official workouts at Dodger Stadium.
“Dear Dodgers Nation,” Price posted, “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. 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.
“Stay safe, be well and be kind. And Go Dodgers!”
Price, 34, joins Nationals infielder Ryan Zimmerman as the most prominent players to make the decision not to play during the pandemic.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he and manager Dave Roberts had each talked with Price “off and on over the last couple months” about his decision to play or not. Friedman said Price reported on Wednesday as required and was “of the mind that he was going to play.”
“Then I think just talking to his family, he had kind of arrived at this point,” Friedman said. “It’s one of those things that everyone’s internalizing everything going on differently. So, I don’t know that there are any right or wrong answers at this point. And, it’s something that I know has been on his mind for awhile now.
“I think the allure of playing with his teammates that he created a great bond with in spring training was what was kind of pushing him to do it. But ultimately he just got to a point where he wasn’t comfortable.”
Price has two children under the age of four. Friedman would not confirm whether or not Price is in a high-risk category for exposure to COVID-19. If not, Price’s decision not to play means he could forfeit his 2020 salary, potentially about $11.85 million if MLB is able to play a 60-game regular season as planned.
Acquired from the Boston Red Sox in February, Price was added to the Dodgers’ trade for Mookie Betts as the Boston Red Sox sought to shed the $96 million remaining on his contract over the next three years. The Dodgers are paying only half of that, with the Red Sox chipping in $16 million per year. Friedman said he didn’t think the Red Sox would be obligated to pay the Dodgers that money if Price does not draw a salary “but I’m not sure exactly how that works.”
Despite having been in the organization for barely a month before the pandemic shut the sport down, Price paid each Dodgers minor-leaguer $1,000 out of his own pocket (approximately $220,000 in all) in June to help them get through the pandemic. The minor-league season was officially canceled last week.
In a statement released Saturday, the Dodgers said they “fully support” Price in his decision. Earlier in the week, Friedman said that would be the case with any player who chose not to play this season.
“From my standpoint, this is a very personal decision and matter,” Friedman said. “And we want people to feel comfortable to bring up if they’re concerned or scared or whatever the case may be. We want to have those conversations with staff, with players. We’ve definitely had conversations with a few players that are concerned, not necessarily rising to the level of opting out but just as we see with people in our own lives who we talk to, they kind of all fall on a continuum and our clubhouse our staff, our front office is not that different.
“And so, for the people that are really concerned, we want to help and be around and try to deal with what is a really personal decision.”
Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw said he would understand and support any teammate who decided to opt out.
“For those guys who opt out, I understand that,” Kershaw said. “I get that decision. I support that. … We’re going to support that as a team with whatever happens with our guys.”
Price had been penciled in as the Dodgers’ No. 3 starter behind Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler. Julio Urias and Alex Wood now move up, with Ross Stripling the leading candidate to replace Price in the rotation.
OPENING DAY
MLB is expected to announce the 2020 schedule next week. Dodgers team president and CEO Stan Kasten confirmed that the Dodgers will be one of the four teams opening July 23. The rest of MLB will open July 24.
Kasten would not confirm the Dodgers’ opponent, but it is expected to be the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw said he is working under the “premise” he will make the Opening Day start (as he was scheduled to before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the sport). It would be Kershaw’s ninth Opening Day start, extending his franchise record.
LIVE ACTION
Right-hander Walker Buehler threw a bullpen session Saturday but said he has not faced hitters since spring training was shut down. Buehler acknowledged he has been “a slow starter” in the past and could be behind other Dodgers starters like Kershaw and Wood.
The Dodgers are planning to start playing intrasquad games next week, but teams are allowed to schedule only three games against other teams before the season starts, giving pitchers limited chances to throw against opposing hitters.
“I don’t know how it’s all going to lay out,” Buehler said. “We throw a lot of BPs against our hitters in normal spring training. Them being our hitters doesn’t make them any less of a major-leaguer than any other team that we’re going to play. As talented as we are, nothing against any other team, but facing some of our guys is about as good as you can get.”
