Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Marlins' Isan Diaz may opt out after coronavirus outbreak

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 7/31/20

The coronavirus outbreak that infected a number of Miami Marlins and caused MLB to pause the club's season through at least the weekend could lead to healthy players sitting out the rest of the season.

Soon after reports surfaced that an 18th Miami player tested positive for the virus, MLB insider Jon Heyman tweeted that promising young second baseman Isan Diaz may opt-out of the remainder of the 2020 campaign, assuming the Marlins will be permitted to return to action at some point in August.

Hear top young Marlins 2B Isan Diaz is at least considering leaving the team hotel in Philly and possibly opting out. At least through yesterday, Diaz was in the minority among Marlins players in that he was Covid negative. Marlins are not commenting on this to this point.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2020

The 24-year-old reportedly tested negative and is not traveling on one of the buses filled with infected team personnel headed back to Miami.

Diaz, who made 49 appearances for the Marlins in 2019, started twice for the club during its opening weekend series versus the Philadelphia Phillies. He went 2-9 (.222) at the plate with three strikeouts.

The concern for the Marlins, a team that is already short-handed, is that not only Diaz, but other healthy players may choose to opt out if they deem the risks of playing during a pandemic aren't worth the potential rewards.

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