New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Did Mets know about Yoenis Cespedes opting out before Sunday's game?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/3/20

In an MLB season held amid the worsening coronavirus pandemic, the New York Mets have remained an organization that predictably frustrates and baffles fans.

Ahead of Sunday's game versus the Atlanta Braves, the Mets announced that left fielder and designated hitter Yoenis Cespedes failed to report to the ballpark and did not disclose his whereabouts. Following the contest that the Mets lost 4-0, New York general manager Brodie Van Wagenen told reporters that Cespedes opted out of the remainder of the campaign due to coronavirus-related concerns.

As noted by The Athletic's Tim Britton, there remain questions about when Cespedes informed the Mets of his decision.

Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who recently offered some controversial quotes about wearing masks during the uncontrolled virus outbreak, told reporters on Monday that some players heard Cespedes' agents informed the club of his exit before Sunday's outing.

Nimmo said he's heard the team version of Sunday's events -- that the Mets didn't know of Cespedes' opt-out until late in the game -- and a different version floating around the clubhouse, in which Cespedes' agents let the team know pregame. Said he didn't know which to believe.
— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) August 3, 2020

Brandon Nimmo said he found out Yoenis Cespedes opted out about halfway through the game.

Nimmo: "I asked Mike (Conforto), 'Is Ces gone?' He said, 'Yup.' And that was the end of the conversation."
— Tim Healey (@timbhealey) August 3, 2020

Cespedes hit .161 with two home runs and four RBI with 15 strikeouts in his eight appearances. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that Cespedes, whose contract is up following this season, was frustrated being part of a Mets side that lost seven of its first 10 games:

Perhaps the 34-year-old slugger had second thoughts about featuring for a losing team upon seeing the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals experience coronavirus outbreaks. Maybe he's not 100 percent healthy and didn't want to hurt his future value in the free agency market. It's possible that golf courses were calling his name.

Whatever the case, the story continues to be yet another black eye for the Mets.

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