Report: High-risk MLB players may request to return after opting out
The worsening coronavirus pandemic continues to impact sports competitions throughout the United States, and not just as it concerns return-to-play scenarios and testing protocols. Athletes from MLB, the NHL, NBA, Major League Soccer and National Women's Soccer League opted against playing this summer either because they are high-risk for COVID-19, they live with a high-risk individual, or for other personal reasons.
These decisions led to an obvious question: What happens if somebody changes his or her mind?
With MLB, the situation appears to be unclear and potentially evolving. The Athletic's Jason Stark tweeted that MLB players who aren't high-risk but who opt out cannot return as of July 15. However, that could change either per situation or following continuing talks between the MLB and MLB Players Association.
Stark added a high-risk player can submit a request to return to his club during the season. That player would then have his fate determined by team doctors and a committee.
There are arguments for and against players being allowed to experience changes of heart as circumstances evolve, and as union members see in person what guidelines teams and the league follow to keep personnel as safe as possible under unique circumstances.
On the other hand, team executives and managers could understandably claim they deserve to know who is all-in and who isn't by Opening Day on July 23.
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