For the first time since 2005, the Washington Nationals will start a season without Ryan Zimmerman on the roster. Zimmerman announced Monday, he is opting out of playing in the 2020 Major League Baseball season.
Nationals’ pitcher Joe Ross also opted out of playing this season.
Zimmerman was slated to play in his 16th season, as the Nationals defend their World Series title in a 60-game season.
Through a statement through his agency, Zimmerman cited concerns over the health of his family amid the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason he will not play. He also made it clear he is not yet retiring from baseball.
Zimmerman hinted towards a possibility of not playing last week in one of his Associated Press entries.
Zimmerman will forfeit his pay and service time for 2020 by not playing per MLB’s health and safety guidelines.
He was the Nationals first-ever draft pick after the club moved from Montreal to Washington in 2005.
Referred as “Mr. National,” Zimmerman is the club’s all-time leader in hits, home runs, RBIs, and extra base hits.
Last season, Zimmerman appeared in 52 games, as he was limited by a foot injury. He hit .257/.321/.415 with six home runs and 27 RBIs, However, he was significant in the Nationals’ World Series run, hitting the franchise’s first-ever World Series home run.
The Nationals declined a $18 million option on Zimmerman at the end of the season. He signed a one-year, $2 million deal during the winter in hopes of finishing his career with the only franchise he has ever played for.
