Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond used a long, heartfelt Instagram post to announce he was opting out of MLB’s restart.
The outfielder who became the fourth MLB player to skip the 2020 season on Monday, cited being uncomfortable with risks surrounding coronavirus and the need to be with his young family.
“With a pregnant wife and four young children who have lots of questions about what’s going on in the world, home is where I need to be right now,” wrote Desmond, who would be forfeiting around $405,000 in prorated salary by not playing. “Home for my wife, Chelsey. Home to help. Home to guide. Home to answer my older three boys’ questions about Coronavirus, Civil Rights and life. Home to be their dad.”
In the post, Desmond — who is biracial — also touched on the killing of George Floyd, the issue of race and the social inequality in America, something he believes baseball is not immune from.
