![15 players decided not to participate in 2020. [image source: Public Domain Pictures]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2020/7/24/660x290/b_502x220x82/15-players-decided-not-to-participate-in-2020-image-source-public-domain-pictures_2494670.jpg "15 players decided not to participate in 2020. [image source: Public Domain Pictures]")
SP Mike Leake
Leake was the first player to opt-out of the season. Last season, he went 12-11 with a 4.29 E.R.A. while giving up 100 more hits than strikeouts for an ugly opponent average of .286.
1B Ryan Zimmerman
Zimmerman is opting out of the season as his wife just recently gave birth to their third child and his mother has Multiple Sclerosis. Many speculated that this could be Zimmerman's last season but he confirmed that it won't be. In 52 games last season, he slashed .257/.321/.415. [image source: Lorie Shaull-Flickr]
SP Joe Ross
Ross went 4-4 with a 5.48 E.R.A. across 27 games (nine starts) with a horrible opponent average of .291.
SP Tyson Ross
Like his brother, Tyson will also be opting out of the season. He was originally signed by the Giants but got released before he opted out. In his career, he's 44-70 with a 4.04 E.R.A. [image source: Ian D'Adnrea-Wikimedia Commons]
OF Ian Desmond
Desmond stated that his reason for opting out is because he wants to be with his family and his wife is pregnant. Last season he slashed .255/.310/.479 with 20 HR and 31 doubles.
OF Nick Markakis
Markakis slashed .285/.356/.420 with 118 hits in 2019. [image source: Keith Allison-Flickr]
SP Felix Hernandez
Hernandez's career has gone downwards in the past few years which is evidenced by his 2019 stats of going 1-8 with a 6.40 E.R.A. and an opponent average of .291. It doesn't mean that he wasn't a good pitcher though as he's 169-136 with a 3.42 E.R.A. with 2524 strikeouts in his career.
SP David Price
Price came over to the Dodgers in a trade with the Red Sox during the offseason. Last season, he went 7-5 with a 4.28 E.R.A.
C Buster Posey
Posey will be opting out of the season as his adopted twin daughters were born prematurely and they were in ICU. The 2012 NL MVP slashed .257/.320/.368 in 2019.
C Welington Castillo
In 72 games with the White Sox last season, he slashed .209/.267/.417. [image source: MLB- YouTube]
SP Michael Kopech
Kopech is opting out in order to recover from Tommy John surgery more. He made four starts in his debut year in 2018 where he went 1-1 with a 5.02 E.R.A. Despite his not so spectacular starts, he's expected to be a very big part of the White Sox future.
RP Joe Smith
Last season, Smith posted a 1.80 E.R.A. with an opponent average of .209 in 28 games.
CL Jordan Hicks
The flamethrower has type 1 diabetes and will also be recovering from Tommy John surgery. In two years in the big leagues, Hicks has a 3.47 E.R.A. with 27 holds, 20 saves and a .196 opponent average across 102 games.
RP Hector Noesi
Last season with the Marlins, Noesi had a very ugly 8.46 E.R.A. with an opponent average of .280 while going 0-3 in 12 games.
SP Collin McHugh
Last season with the Astros, McHugh appeared in 38 games with eight of those being starts. He went 4-5 with a 4.70 E.R.A. with 82 strikeouts over 62 hits. [image source: Red Sox-YouTube]
