Mets RHP Marcus Stroman announced Monday that he is opting out of the 2020 MLB season due to concerns over the coronavirus.
Stroman, who had been working his way back from a torn calf, said the injury didn’t play a part in his decision to opt out.
Adding that the Mets have done an “incredible” job with their coronavirus protocols, Stroman — among other concerns — cited the coronavirus outbreaks that have impacted the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.
Stroman, who was acquired from the Blue Jays last season in exchange for pitchers Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods Richardson, is set for free agency after the season.
In the end, the Mets traded Anthony Kay, who's already a serviceable major league pitcher, and Simeon Woods-Richardson, who scouts really like and think can be a good major league starter, for 11 games of Marcus Stroman on what wound up being a third-place team.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 10, 2020
The Stroman opt-out comes with the Mets’ rotation in flux due to the shoulder injury that led to Michael Wacha being placed on the IL on Sunday.
The expectation had been that Stroman could return after what was to be his next simulated game this week. Now, the Mets will have to scramble to fill a rotation slot, with GM Brodie Van Wagenen saying Monday while speaking on the same Zoom as Stroman that the team would explore all options.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].