NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes has decided to opt out of the rest of the season over concerns about the coronavirus, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Sunday after Cespedes failed to show up to the team's game in Atlanta.
“First and foremost, I’m glad to say and to hear that he is healthy and he is safe," Van Wagenen told reporters after the game. "We learned during the game today, late in the game, that he’s decided to opt out of the remainder of the season for COVID-related reasons.”
“When we showed up to the ballpark this morning, he was not here, he was not on site. We weren’t aware of why," Van Wagenen said. "We were able to send a security team to the hotel. And then ultimately learned later that he was healthy, he was not in any danger and that ultimately has made the decision to opt out of the season."
Earlier in the day, Van Wagenen released a statement saying, “Yoenis Cespedes has not reported to the ballpark today. He did not reach out to management with any explanation for his absence. Our attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful.”
Cespedes, who hadn’t played since 2018 due to injuries, returned to the lineup this season.
“I think it’s disappointing for the fans from my vantage point. Prior to coming to this job and then since. Yoenis is a great player that I think everyone enjoyed watching play when he was at his best," Van Wagenen said. “There was optimism for his return. I know how hard he worked in his rehab to get back to this point. And I know this is a disappointing end to at least his four-year agreement with the Mets. But I know it wasn’t for a lack of work ethic on his part to try to get back.”