PHOENIX – Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed player Mike Leake is one of the first players to withdraw from the 2020 season due to corona virus concerns.
Mikeback, General Manager of Diamondbacks, announced Leake’s decision on Monday, shortly before teammates Ryan Zimmerman and Joe Ross from Washington ended the season with shortened viruses.
“During this global pandemic, Mike and his family had a lot of discussion about playing this season,” said Leakes agent Danny Horwits in a statement on Monday. “They took countless factors into account, many of which are personal to him and his family. After careful consideration, he decided to stop playing in 2020. It was not an easy decision for Mike. He wishes his Diamondback teammates good luck and health this season and is looking forward to 2021. ”
Hazen also said that two players on Arizona’s 60-man squad tested positive for COVID-19, as did another player who was not in Arizona.
Leake, 32, started 10 games for Arizona after being exchanged for outfielder Jose Caballero from Seattle and closing a deadline deal in 2019. Leake went 3-3 with Arizona 4.35 ERA and received his first AL Gold Glove Award for his time with the Mariners.
Leake has been added to the Diamondbacks’ 60-player pool, which was released on Monday, but will be postponed in a later transaction. It was expected that he would fight for a place in the Diamondbacks’ starting rotation during the 60-game season.
“It definitely affects us,” said Hazen. “Certainly he’s a good pitcher for the Major League. It is difficult to say to what extent it will affect us. I think I would probably have a different answer if it were over 162 (games) than if it were over 60. “
Major League Baseball allows players with pre-existing medical conditions or weakened immune systems to end the 2020 season, but Hazen would not go into detail about whether Leake falls under this category. Leake was due $ 5,555,556 as a proportionate portion of his $ 15 million salary.
His contract includes a $ 18 million club option for 2021 with a $ 5 million buyout.
Due to travel problems during the pandemic, the Diamondbacks will manage without two international perspectives: Outfielder Kristian Robinson from the Bahamas and Brazilian right-hander Bo Takahashi.
Right-hander Silvino Bracho was not in Arizona’s 60-man pool after contracting elbow stiffness last year during a rehabilitation after Tommy John’s surgery.
