New York Mets right-hander Marcus Stroman has elected to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
Stroman, 29, becomes the second Mets player to opt out during this season due to COVID-19 concerns, joining outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. “This is not something that I wanted,” Stroman said, per the New York Post. “This was a collective decision for my family, for our best interests. Because I’m such a competitor, it was incredibly hard to finally come up with this decision.”
Stroman has not pitched this season due to a torn calf muscle.
Stroman’s departure complicates a Mets rotation already saddled with the loss of Noah Syndergaard (Tommy John surgery in March). Those two were expected to serve as the top pitchers behind two-time reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom.
Stroman went 4-2 with a 3.77 ERA in 11 starts last year for the Mets, who acquired him from Toronto in July. The former Blue Jays hurler is 51-47 with a 3.76 ERA in 146 career games (140 starts). –Field Level Media ()