Colorado Rockies are set to return this year without their two-time All-Star outfielder Ian Desmond. In an announcement posted on social media on Tuesday, Desmond revealed that he decided to sit out the 2020 MLB season.
According to Desmond, the concerns he has over the ongoing coronavirus pandemic caused him to make this decision.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has made this baseball season one that is a risk I am not comfortable taking,” Desmond wrote on Instagram. “But that doesn’t mean I’m leaving baseball behind for the year. I’ll be right here, at my old Little League, and I’m working with everyone involved to make sure we get Sarasota Youth Baseball back on track. It’s what I can do, in the scheme of so much.”
Desmond also explained that he wants to spend time with his family as they are expecting a new member.
“With a pregnant wife and four young children who have lots of questions about what’s going on in the world, home is where I need to be right now,” he added.
Ian Desmond joined the Rockies ahead of 2017 season, signing a five-year, $70 million contract with the organization. In the past three seasons, Desmond had a .261 batting average with 49 home runs and 193 RBIs.
Earlier in his career, Desmond also played with Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers. He has three Silver Slugger awards and was an All-Star in 2012 and 2016.
