#David Price says players’ health isn’t MLB’s top priority

The Dodgers pitcher became one of the highest-profile players to opt out of MLB’s 60-game season before it began and now is watching to see how commissioner Rob Manfred responds to the first in-season crisis. After just one series there is already an outbreak as the Marlins had 11 players and two coaches test positive for COVID-19 as of Monday morning.

“Now we REALLY get to see if MLB is going to put players health first,” Price tweeted Monday. “Remember when Manfred said players health was PARAMOUNT?! Part of the reason I’m at home right now is because players health wasn’t being put first. I can see that hasn’t changed.”

Price announced his decision to opt out on July 4, saying it was “in the best interest of my health and my family’s health for me to not play this season.” He was one of at least 14 players to sit out the season.

Others who did not opt also expressed concerns over the health and safety of players and their families. Rockies LHP Tim Collins opted out of the rest of the season in the wake of the Marlins situation — which has postponed their game tonight in Miami and also the Yankees-Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park, where the Marlins played over the weekend.

The 34-year-old Price was one of the players that had the luxury to make his opt-out decision without being worried about forfeiting his salary. He was set to make about $12 million this season, but has made $184 million in 13 seasons before this year and is set to make $32 million in each of the next two seasons.