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MILWAUKEE BREWERS
MLB

Lorenzo Cain, Brewers' reigning Gold Glove center fielder, opts out of 2020 season after six games

Gabe Lacques
USA TODAY

Eighteen players have opted out of the 2020 Major League Baseball season, some of them more accomplished than Lorenzo Cain.

None are as vital or as valuable to their current team, though, than Lorenzo Cain.

Cain opted out of the 2020 season after playing in just five games, the Milwaukee Brewers announced Saturday, and his is perhaps the most jarring decision among a star-studded opt-out group that includes former MVPs and World Series champions like Buster Posey, David Price and Ryan Zimmerman.

“After careful consideration and discussion with my family, I have decided to opt out of the remainder of the 2020 season," Cain said in a statement Saturday. "With all of the uncertainty and unknowns surrounding our game at this time, I feel that this is the best decision for me, my wife, and our three kids.

"The Brewers organization was very understanding and supportive of my decision, and I thank them for that. I wish all of my great teammates the best of luck this season and look forward to getting back on the field in 2021. Please stay safe.”

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Lorenzo Cain played the first five games of the season with the Brewers before opting out.

Cain, a 34-year-old two-time All-Star, is the starting center fielder for the Brewers, who have reached the playoffs each of the past two seasons. He’s in the third year of a five-year, $80 million contract and in opting out, will sacrifice some $5 million in salary.

But his opt-out comes at a time when the Brewers’ season is paused after just six games, as their home opener against St. Louis was scrapped Friday after multiple Cardinals tested positive for the coronavirus.

With more positive tests emerging Saturday, the three-game series is likely jeopardized, amid the backdrop of the entire MLB season hanging in the balance as the league navigates outbreaks on the Cardinals and Miami Marlins.

Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns says Cain informed them of his decision Friday night, after weeks of careful consideration with his family. Stearns says it's possible the Marlins' and Cardinals situation - Milwaukee was to host St. Louis in its home opener Friday before the postponement - might have played a factor in the timing.

"I think it’s fair that the events of the past week I’m sure played a part," says Stearns. "He did not specifically mention the Cardinals or the Marlins. I just think this was something he was considering, thinking about, discussing with his family and it got to the point yesterday that he was ready to make that decision."

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Cain is the third player to opt out in 24 hours, joining Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kohl Stewart – who is Type 1 diabetic – and Marlins infielder Isan Diaz.

Cain won a Gold Glove in 2019, his first after signing his free agent deal with the Brewers, and had six hits in his first 18 at-bats in this abbreviated season. Cain, married and the father of three young children, has no underlying conditions and thus will not receive the remainder of his 2020 salary.

“Lo is a big part of our team," says Stearns. "He’s in great shape, playing at a really high level right now, and so we will miss that and miss that energy he provides. We also anticipate getting him back for what will hopefully be a full and complete season in 2021."

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