New York Mets slugger Yoenis Céspedes has opted out of the 2020 season after he did not report to Truist Park for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves, the team’s general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said. Addressing the media after the Mets’ 4-0 loss to the Braves, the second-year GM said Céspedes was declining to play over “Covid-related issues”.“We support everybody and every player’s right to make this type of decision. This is a challenging time for everyone,” Van Wagenen said. “It was surprising, without question. At the same point, we have to go forward and not allow anything to keep us from going forward.”Van Wagenen said he learned of Cespedes’ decision from his agent during Sunday’s game. When the team sent security to Cespedes’ hotel room, he was not there and his belongings were gone, Van Wagenen said. The announcement resolved the central mystery of a strange day that began when the Mets first announced their prized slugger was absent and they were unable to locate him.“As of game time, Yoenis Céspedes has not reported to the ballpark today. He did not reach out to management with any explanation for his absence,” Van Wagenen had said in a statement.“Our attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful,” he said.

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Article Link: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/aug/02/yoenis-cespedes-missing-absent-new-york-mets