MLB Player News

General manager Brodie Van Wagenen announced Sunday that Cespedes is opting out of the 2020 season for concerns related to COVID-19, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The 34-year-old never showed up to the ballpark for Sunday's game in Atlanta, and he apparently didn't inform the Mets that he was planning to opt out until the game was already underway, according to Tim Healey of Newsday. Cespedes is set to finish the season having appeared in eight games and going 5-for-31 with two home runs and four RBI. The veteran slugger is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2020 season. Dominic Smith seems the likely candidate to take over as the Mets' primary designated hitter.

Cespedes didn't report to the ballpark for Sunday's game against the Braves and the team has been unable to contact him, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Cespedes was absent from Sunday's lineup for what appeared to be a standard day of rest, but there's apparently much more to the situation. The Mets have indicated he's safe but haven't provided specifics on the circumstances surrounding his absence, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.

Cespedes didn't report to the ballpark for Sunday's game against the Braves and the team has been unable to contact him, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Cespedes was absent from Sunday's lineup for what appeared to be a standard day of rest, but there's apparently much more to the situation. Hopefully the 34-year-old is physically and mentally okay, and more information should be available as the situation continues to unfold.

Belt is not in the lineup for Sunday's matchup with the Rangers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Belt returned from the injured list Thursday and will sit against left-hander Kolby Allard after going 1-for-5 with five walks in his first two games back. Wilmer Flores will start at first base and bat second for the Giants.

Dickerson is not starting Sunday against the Rangers, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Dickerson is 5-for-19 through six games and will head to the bench with the Giants loading up on right-handed bats against lefty Kolby Allard. Hunter Pence will move out to left field while Darin Ruf serves as the designated hitter.

Choi is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Though Choi is attempting switch hitting this season after batting exclusively from the left side over his first four years in the majors, Rays manager Kevin Cash is still expected to withhold the 29-year-old from the lineup versus most southpaws. With lefty Tommy Milone twirling for Baltimore in the series finale, Yandy Diaz will man first base in place of Choi.

Reyes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Bradley Zimmer will enter the lineup in place of Reyes, who appears to be getting a routine breather in the series finale. Reyes has done a decent job of keeping his strikeouts in check through Cleveland's first nine games, but with only one extra-base hit (a double) through 31 plate appearances, he hasn't quite provided the power production fantasy managers anticipated.

Cespedes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Braves, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The veteran slugger is 1-for-12 with five strikeouts over the past three games and will receive a day to reset Sunday. Cespedes has a .622 OPS with two home runs and 15 strikeouts in 34 plate appearances this season.

Jimenez went 4-for-6 with a home run, a double and four RBI in Saturday's 11-5 win at Kansas City.

The 23-year-old was 0-for-7 since returning from a two-game absence due to lightheadedness, but he broke out in a big way Saturday. Jimenez is 8-for-21 with two home runs, two doubles and six RBI through six games this season.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Mets.

He took his former Cards teammate Michael Wacha deep in the first inning, setting the tone for a big Atlanta victory. Ozuna has hit safely in eight of nine games to begin the year, batting .367 (11-for-30) with three homers and six RBI.