It’s one of those things that was in the back of all of our minds the moment MLB commissioner Rob Manfred imposed his 60-game 2020 schedule on the MLB Players Association: Who would be the first player to opt-out of the COVID-19-shortened season over safety concerns for themselves or their families? And while it took almost 24 hours after Sunday’s 5 PM PT deadline for teams to submit their Manfred-imposed 60-Man Player Pool rosters, if finally happened on Monday afternoon – the first MLB player announced that he was opting out.

That first player was 32-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Mike Leake who – through his agent, Danny Horwits – offered this explanation:

“During this global pandemic, Mike and his family had many discussions about playing this season. They took countless factors into consideration, many of which are personal to him and his family. After thorough consideration, he has chosen to opt out of playing in 2020. This was not an easy decision for Mike. He wishes the best of luck and health for his Diamondback teammates this season and he’s looking forward to 2021.”

Shortly thereafter, it was reported that 35-year-old Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman and 27-year-old right-hander Joe Ross had also elected to opt-out over health concerns. Zimmerman offered this statement:

“After a great deal of thought and given my family circumstances – three young children, including a newborn, and a mother at high risk – I have decided not to participate in the 2020 season,”

But it was 34-year-old Colorado Rockies infielder/outfielder Ian Desmond announcing his plans to opt-out late Monday evening that really put things into perspective beyond just health concerns. The popular 11-year MLB veteran issued this poignant written statement on Twitter:

“America’s pastime is failing to do what it could, just like the country it entertains.

“Think about it: right now baseball we’ve got a labor war. We’ve got rampant individualism on the field. In the clubhouses, we’ve got racist, sexist, homophobic jokes or flat-out problems. We’ve got cheating. We’ve got minority issue(s) from the top down. One African American GM. Two African American managers. Less than 8% Black players. No Black majority team owners.

“Perhaps most disheartening of all is a puzzling lack of focus on understanding how to change those numbers. A lack of focus on making baseball accessible and possible for all kids, not just those who are privileged enough to afford it.

“If baseball is America’s pastime, maybe it’s never been a more fitting one than now.”

Wow.

Although there has yet to be a Dodger on the team’s 60-Man Player Pool to opt-out, there has been considerable speculation that it could or even will happen. It is impossible not to immediately think of 32-year-old Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen as a likely candidate, given his history of heart issues. Ironically, the 6′-5″/265-pound Willemstad, Curaçao native has actively promoted the resumption of baseball on social media, despite the current coronavirus pandemic and his rather significant health history:

There has also been talk that Dodgers ace and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw might opt-out because his wife Ellen gave birth to their third child in January, and Dodgers right-hander Joe Kelly, whose wife Ashley gave birth to twins in April

As COVID-19 cases (and deaths) continue to increase at an alarming rate, including in LA County, it is impossible to believe that there will not be additional MLB players who elect to opt-out – including some Dodgers.

…unless MLB commissioner Rob Manfred decides to opt Major League Baseball out of the 2020 season, that is.

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