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Marcus Stroman of the New York Mets has opted out of the remainder of the 2020 season, the team announced today. The righthanded starting pitcher had not pitched yet this season, and was on the injured list with a strained calf muscle.
The 29 year old was acquired by the Mets from the Toronto Blue Jays last July for Simeon Woods Richardson and Anthony Kay. Stroman was expected to help fortify a rotation that lost Zack Wheeler to free agency; however, after suffering a torn left calf muscle in the last week of summer camp, Stroman started the year on the injured list, and was expected to miss significant time.
All MLB players have the right to opt out of the 2020 season at any time due to the COVID-19/coronavirus pandemic, although if a player does not have a condition that makes him high-risk, he does not receive salary or service time for the period of time he does not participate. Stroman has accumulated sufficient pro-rated service time that he will be eligible for free agency for the first time after the season.