Cain, Diaz opt out of 2020 season
The Milwaukee Brewers hopes for 2020 have taken a hit, as Lorenzo Cain has decided to opt-out of the remainder of the season.
Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Lorenzo Cain and Miami Marlins second baseman Isan Diaz have become the latest players to opt out of participating in the 2020 season.
The Brewers made the announcement about Cain’s decision Saturday. Their scheduled Friday game with the St. Louis Cardinals was cancelled when two Cardinals pitchers tested positive for Covid-19, and it was announced Saturday morning that additional members of the Cardinals traveling party had also tested positive.
Saturday’s Cardinals-Brewers game was also postponed.
Announcement of Diaz’s decision followed shortly afterward.
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For the moment, the Brewers and Cardinals are expected to play a doubleheader Sunday, both of those games being 7 innings. The Marlins have not played since the outbreak affecting their team was announced following the first weekend of play. They are scheduled to resume games Tuesday.
Team President David Stearns made the announcement about Cain’s change of status. “Lorenzo Cain has informed us that he will not participate in the remainder of the 2020 season,” Stearns said. “We fully support Lorenzo’s decision and will miss his talents on the field and leadership in the clubhouse.”
Cain, 34, batted .333 in 21 plate appearances encompassing five games. He did not hit a home run and drove in two runs.
He is signed with the Braves through 2022. Cain was originally scheduled to make $16 million this season, an amount that would have been pro-rated to about $5.55 million under the 60-game plan.
The Brewers are 3-3 and in second place in the NL Central, leaving them at this early stage in a playoff position under the revised 2020 format.
Cain’s departure leaves the Brewers thinner in the outfield, but they can adjust be relying more than previously planned on veterans. The most likely scenario involves moving right fielder Avisail Garcia to center field, probably moving left fielder Christian Yelich back to his old position in right, and using either Ben Gamel or Ryan Braun in left.
Braun had been targeted as an alternative to Justin Smoak at first base or as a designated hitter.
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Their 40-man roster also includes outfielders Corey Ray and Tyrone Taylor, either of whom could be activated to take Cain’s roster spot. Ray, who has not played a major league game, batted .218 with three teams in 2019. Taylor batted .400 in 15 games with the Brewers last season.
Diaz announced his decision in a message posted on Instagram. “This has been a tough week to see so many of my teammates come down with this virus, and see how quickly it spreads,” he wrote.
He said he made the decision in consultation with his family. “I will deeply miss my teammates and competing on the field. I wish my brothers the best and look forward to taking the field again with them soon!!”