Mets' Yoenis Céspedes Opting Out of MLB 2020 Season

Mets outfielder and designated hitter Yoenis Céspedes is opting out of the 2020 season, GM Brodie Van Wagenen said Sunday.

Mets outfielder and designated hitter Yoenis Céspedes is opting out of the 2020 season, GM Brodie Van Wagenen said Sunday.

"We will support him in that decision," Van Wagenen said. "It was surprising, without question. And at the same point, we have to go forward and we have to not allow anything from keeping us from going forward and attempting to win every game."

Van Wagenen said the club learned of Céspedes's decision late in Sunday's game against the Braves.

Céspedes did not report to the team's ballpark ahead of Sunday's game against the Braves, which lead the team to issue a formal announcement regarding his absence.

"As of game time, Yoenis Céspedes has not reported to the ballpark today," Van Wagenen said in the initial statement. "He did not reach out to management with any explanation for his absence. Our attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful."

BREAKING:
Statement from Brodie Van Wagenen - “As of game time, Yoenis Cespedes has not reported to the ballpark today. He did not reach out to management with any explanation for his absence. Our attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful.”

— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) August 2, 2020

Céspedes, 34, was appearing with the Mets for the first time since July 2018. He went more than two years between appearances with the club after dealing with multiple injuries.

Last May, the Mets announced that Céspedes suffered right ankle fractures in a "violent fall" on his ranch in Port St. Lucie, Fl. New details reported by the New York Post this past January, however, said that Céspedes was injured on his ranch stepping into a hole after an interaction with a wild boar.

At the time of the boar incident, he was already on the injured list recovering from surgeries on both feet that took place in 2018.

In eight games this season, Céspedes was hitting .161 with two home runs and four RBIs.

On Sunday morning, the Mets reportedly traded right-handed pitcher Jordan Humphreys, whom they designated for assignment, to the San Francisco Giants for center fielder Billy Hamilton, who is known for his speed and defensive skillset. 

The Mets are 3-7 on the season after losing 4-0 to the Braves on Sunday.