#Isan Diaz opts out of season amid Marlins’ coronavirus nightmare

When the Marlins can finally get back to playing baseball, they’ll do so without second baseman Isan Diaz.

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican infielder became the first Miami player to opt out of the season as the team battles a coronavirus outbreak that has affected 21 members of the traveling party. The Marlins — who have been quarantined in Philadelphia after a rash of infections interrupted their season — sent infected players back to Miami via sleeper bus on Friday.

Miami has not had any new positive test results in their latest round according to the Associated Press, while Diaz has consistently tested negative. The team has come under fire for not following league safety protocols.

“This has been a tough week to see so many of my teammates come down with this virus and see how quickly it spreads. After much deliberation and thought, I have made the difficult choice of opting out for the remainder of the 2020 season,” Diaz wrote on Instagram.

Diaz, who came to the Marlins in the Christian Yelich trade in 2018, has two hits and two runs in 9 at-bats to start the 60-game season.

“This has been a decision that I have discussed with my family,” he wrote, “And I feel it’s the best one for me and my overall well-being. I will deeply miss my teammates and competing on the field. I wish my brothers the best and look forward to taking the field again with them soon!”