Ian Desmond
Los Angeles Dodgers' Corey Seager (5) gets a high-five from Mookie Betts (50) after Seager hit a home run during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball against the Colorado Rockies game Monday, March 15, 2021, in Scottdale, Ariz. Betts also scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
National League West Preview Capsules

By The Associated Press Mar. 18, 2021 10:36 PM EDT

Colorado Rockies' Ian Desmond during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020, in Mesa, Ariz. Desmond announced Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021 he is opting out for a second straight season. Desmond announced on his Instagram account that his “desire to be with my family is greater than my desire to go back and play baseball under these circumstances. I'm going to train and watch how things unfold.” He added “for now" in his statement to opt out, leaving the door open for a possible return. (AP Photo/Matt York, file)
MLB spring training still a hot ticket in Arizona

By David Brandt Feb. 21, 2021 05:19 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2020, file photo, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish throws during the first inning in Game 2 of the team's NL wild-card baseball series against the Miami Marlins in Chicago. The San Diego Padres traded for another big arm on Tuesday night, Dec. 29, acquiring Darvish in a blockbuster deal with the Cubs. The Padres got Darvish, catcher Victor Caratini and cash from the Cubs for right-hander Zach Davies and four young minor leaguers. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
NL West teams at the start of spring training

By The Associated Press Feb. 11, 2021 10:52 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2020, file photo, Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado throws to first during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Denver. Arenado won his eighth consecutive Gold Glove on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Rockies manager Black downplays Arenado, Story trade rumors

By Pat Graham Dec. 16, 2020 07:59 PM EST

Arizona Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner delivers a pitch against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Bumgarner gets 1st win in final start for D-backs, 11-3

By John Marshall Sep. 27, 2020 06:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 18, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis waits to take batting during baseball spring training in North Port, Fla. Markakis is returning to the Braves, three weeks after announcing his decision to opt out of the 2020 season due to his concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, File)
Braves' Markakis returns 3 weeks after opting out of season

By Charles Odum Jul. 29, 2020 04:37 PM EDT

A security guard peers out from behind NHL-branded fencing at the entrance where players arrive at Toronto's Royal York hotel, which is acting as the "bubble" ahead of the return of the league's season following disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunday, July 26, 2020. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Latest: 49ers wide receiver James on COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Jul. 27, 2020 10:38 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, July 5, 2020, file photo, San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey carries his bats during a baseball practice in San Francisco. Posey is the latest big-name player to skip this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Posey announced his decision on Friday, July 10, 2020. He says his family finalized the adoption of identical twin girls this week. The babies were born prematurely and Posey said after consultations with his wife and doctor he decided to opt out of the season. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)
Giants star catcher Posey out this year over virus concerns

By Josh Dubow Jul. 10, 2020 01:00 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 18, 2018, file photo, Atlantic Coast Conference commissioner John Swofford speaks during a news conference at the ACC NCAA college football media day in Charlotte, N.C. Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford is retiring after the 2020-21 academic year, ending his tenure after 24 years. Swofford, 71, has been commissioner of the ACC since 1997, the longest run in that position in the history of the 67-year-old conference. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)
The Latest: Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott tests positive

By The Associated Press Jul. 10, 2020 11:44 AM EDT

Texas Rangers second baseman Nick Solak, left, tags out Rougned Odor on a stolen base-attempt during an intrasquad practice baseball game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Monday, July 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
MLB releases pandemic-shortened schedule amid testing delays

By Bernie Wilson Jul. 06, 2020 09:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 5, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Braves' Nick Markakis, right, talks with a coach during team practice at Truist Park in Atlanta. Braves outfielder Nick Markakis has opted out of the 2020 season. The 36-year-old Markakis said he was uneasy about playing the season without fans and then was swayed by his telephone conversation with teammate Freddie Freeman, who has tested positive for COVID-19 and has fever and other symptoms. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Braves 'ultimate pro' OF Nick Markakis opts out of season

By Charles Odum Jul. 06, 2020 01:57 PM EDT

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel runs through a drill during a baseball practice at Minute Maid Park, Sunday, July 5, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Nats, Astros, Cards cancel workouts over virus testing delay

By Stephen Whyno Jul. 06, 2020 11:22 AM EDT

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo watches players during team baseball practice at Chase Field, Friday, July 3, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Latest: Diamondbacks OF Kole Calhoun tests positive

By The Associated Press Jul. 06, 2020 10:47 AM EDT

FILE - In this March 2, 2020, file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher David Price throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning of a spring training baseball game in Goodyear, Ariz. Price will not play this season because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, delaying his Los Angeles debut until next year. The five-time All-Star became the latest player to opt out, posting Saturday, July 4, 2020, on Twitter that he would not participate in the 60-game season that is scheduled to begin July 23. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
Dodgers pitcher Price won't play this year because of virus

By Ben Walker Jul. 04, 2020 05:47 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 29, 2019, file photo, Colorado Rockies' Ian Desmond follows the flight of his triple off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda in the second inning of a baseball game in Denver. Desmond plans to sit out this season to be with his family and help the youth baseball program in his hometown in Florida. The 34-year-old Desmond wrote on Instagram that the “COVID-19 pandemic has made this baseball season one that is a risk I am not comfortable taking.” (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Rockies GM supports Desmond's decision to skip '20 season

By Arnie Stapleton Jun. 30, 2020 09:21 PM EDT

FILE - In this July 29, 2019, file photo, Colorado Rockies' Ian Desmond follows the flight of his triple off Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda in the second inning of a baseball game in Denver. Desmond plans to sit out this season to be with his family and help the youth baseball program in his hometown in Florida. The 34-year-old Desmond wrote on Instagram that the “COVID-19 pandemic has made this baseball season one that is a risk I am not comfortable taking.” (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Rockies OF Desmond decides to sit out this season

By The Associated Press Jun. 29, 2020 11:52 PM EDT

FILE - In a Monday, March 2, 2020 file photo, Washington Nationals pitcher Joe Ross throws during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Miami Marlins, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Longtime infielder Ryan Zimmerman and pitcher Joe Ross are opting out of playing the 2020 season as Major League Baseball tries to get back amid the COVID-19 pandemic. General manager Mike Rizzo says the team is 100% supportive of Zimmerman and Ross deciding not to play.(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
Roster shuffle: Plans change in MLB because of health issues

By David Brandt Jun. 29, 2020 05:09 PM EDT