Mike Trout still not sure he'll play entire 2020 season: 'Honestly, I still don't feel that comfortable'
Major League Baseball has a plan to return to the field, with training camps opening this week and games scheduled to start at the end of July. But there’s still a question of whether baseball should return.
And even the game’s biggest star admits he isn’t completely comfortable starting a season and hasn’t decided 100 percent whether he’s going to play the entire season.
Mike Trout said Friday at Los Angeles Angels camp — the first day the media was allowed inside — that the impending birth of his son has him still uncertain about whether he’ll play the whole 2020 season. Players have the choice to skip the season (without pay or service time), and so far a few have, including Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals, Mike Leake of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Ian Desmond of the Colorado Rockies.
While positive COVID-19 tests are increasing around the country and various states (including California) are rolling back their re-opening measures, it makes sense that Trout would be taking this seriously. Here’s what Trout said to reporters:
#Angels CF Mike Trout, whose wife is pregnant: "Honestly, I still don't feel that comfortable. It's gonna be tough. I've got to be really cautious these next couple weeks. I don't want to test positive. I don't want to bring it back to my wife. It's a tough situation we're in."
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) July 3, 2020
Mike Trout said he’s still discussing with his wife and that his decision to play isn’t solid yet.
“Keeping them healthiest is my top priority.”
Said he’s going to keep talking with Billy Eppler and Joe Maddon on what to do when the baby comes.— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 3, 2020
Trout was also wearing a mask Friday on the field:
Mike Trout is wearing a mask while going through baserunning drills right now. https://t.co/YNvEVX6OT3
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 3, 2020
Trout’s wife, Jessica, is due to deliver their first child in August. It’s a topic that has been at the forefront of Trout’s discussions about baseball’s return at every turn during the pandemic.
When he talked to Yahoo Sports back in May about the prospect of baseball returning, he was cautious even then, saying: “You got a responsibility. You got a responsibility for others. You gotta prepare yourself to do all these things, because if you don’t and the virus gets in that clubhouse, it’s not going to be a good situation.”
Joe Maddon, Trout’s new manager with the Angels, said he identified with Trout’s struggle and said it’s time for every player to be the best teammate and for teams to tighten their bubbles. Via USA Today:
“Every organization really needs to tighten up their bubble,’’ Maddon says, “and that’s what we’re trying to do. We’re asking you to be the best version of yourself and be the best teammate you’ve ever been in your life. We need you to follow the protocols and for you to be the best teammate ever.’’
“Everybody’s talking about high-risk and those kinds of individuals opting out,’’ Maddon says, “to me the person that should opt out is the person who does not want to follow the protocols to a T at any age, at any risk. That’s hasn’t bene promoted enough.
“If you in heart in hearts don’t believe you could do all of this stuff, the way we need you to do all of this stuff, you’re the person who should opt out.’’
It makes sense that baseball players won’t feel completely comfortable. There’s nothing comfortable about a 60-game season without fans, with various protective measures, including daily temperature checks.
But the idea that baseball’s best player — in the peak of his career — still isn’t sure he’s going to play should raise a red flag to fans, other players, owners and the league as a whole.
More from Yahoo Sports: