Rockies' Tim Collins opts out of 2020 MLB season
On the same day that at least one coronavirus outbreak caused the cancellation of a pair of MLB games, the Colorado Rockies announced that southpaw reliever Tim Collins has opted out of playing amid the pandemic.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the 30-year-old relief pitcher informed the Rockies of his decision before it was learned that over a dozen members of the Miami Marlins tested positive for the coronavirus.
Collins was part of Colorado's 60-man pool and assigned to the club's Albuquerque training site. The veteran who made only nine appearances for the Chicago Cubs during the 2019 regular season hadn't played for the Rockies this summer.
A game between the Marlins and Baltimore Orioles as well as a contest between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies were postponed due to the virus outbreak within the Miami clubhouse. ESPN's Bradford Doolittle wrote that Monday's developments could lead to additional players following in Collins' footsteps and electing to skip the campaign held during the uncontrolled virus outbreak:
Seems likely, but perhaps those who already made the decision to play will be determined to press on. However, given the number of the players, coaches and managers in baseball, there has to be people pondering whether to take the risk. A teamwide outbreak four days into the season could convince a few people that the risk is just too great.
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