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

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 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.

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, 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.

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And now the players are starting to speak to the validity of this season with their actions.

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 season with the Brewers, and had six hits in his first 18 at-bats in this abbreviated season.

“Lorenzo Cain has informed us that he will not participate for the remainder of the 2020 season," Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said in a statement. "We fully support Lorenzo’s decision, and will miss his talents on the field and leadership in the clubhouse.”