No surprise, but the effects of the pandemic have reached a couple MLB stars, with David Price electing to opt out of this season, and Freddie Freeman dealing with a symptomatic case of COVID-19.
Price announced his decision this afternoon:
— David Price (@DAVIDprice24) July 4, 2020
Price, 34, was traded to the Dodgers this past offseason together with Mookie Betts, and while his contract was not attractive, he’s still a useful player. He’ll be under contract with the Dodgers for two more years after this one. As with any player who elects not to play this year, I wish Price and his family the best, and am assured that they’d done what’s right for them.
On Freeman:
#Braves' Snitker said Freeman tested negative in intake testing Monday or Tuesday, but developed symptoms before he was to come to start working out and at that point tested positive. Snit said they'll have to be careful with it all year because people can get it again.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 4, 2020
Freeman's wife, Chelsea, said on her Instagram account that Freddie "has had body aches, headaches, chills and a high fever since Thursday. He is someone who literally never gets sick and this virus hit him like a ton of bricks."
Said she and their son Charlie are ok so far.— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) July 4, 2020
Heyward on former Atlanta teammate/roommate Freddie Freeman testing positive, showing symptoms:
“It definitely hits closer to home. I reached out to him, texted, asked how he was doing, how his family was … (1/3)
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) July 4, 2020
Heyward on Freeman 3/3:
"We’ve got a lot of memories, a lot of time (together). I obviously know him well, his family, his son. I know he’s got his grandfather, he’s got his father–hey all have health issues. I can relate to that in my own family just wanting to keep them safe." https://t.co/1KeDs64GAh— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) July 4, 2020
Hopefully Freeman will be OK in time, and his case is another reminder of how quickly this can happen and how concerning it can be. The MLB protocols – in terms of player contact and possible spread – have their first highly-visible test.