Colorado Rockies

Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Kemp announced on Instagram he will not play in Wednesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks to join the protest against police brutality:

"Tonight I stand with my fellow professional athletes in protest of the injustices my people continue to suffer. I could not play this game I love so much tonight knowing the hurt and anguish my people continue to feel. In a world where we are the ones who need to remain calm while a trained professional points a gun in our face; a world where the people in uniforms who took an oath to protect us are the same ones killing us; a world where we become hashtags before we even reach our potential; we must stand together, speak out, protest, and be the change we demand, require, and need so bad. To the families who have experienced these tragedies first hand my heart breaks for you, my prayers are with you and I use my platform to speak on your behalf. I will be protesting tonight’s game in honor of all of my fallen brothers and sisters at the hands of police brutality. #BLM #JacobBlake #BreonnaTaylor #GeorgeFloyd #Saytheirnames"

The announcement comes after the Milwaukee Bucks refused to play in their NBA playoff game earlier in the day in protest, which was followed by all three NBA games to be postponed. The decision comes in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday.

The Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds decided to sit out their MLB game on Wednesday as well, per Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal. Jim Bowden of CBS Sports HQ reported the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants have also decided not to play tonight.

Though other MLB games have continued as scheduled, individual players have opted to sit out such as Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward, per The Athletic's Patrick Mooney.

Kemp and Heyward are among the small percentage of Black players in MLB, making up 7.8 percent of all players in the league as of April.

In June, Kemp posted a video with other Black players calling for change while stating "Black Lives Matter."

The 35-year-old is in his first year with the Rockies after signing a one-year deal in July and appearing in 24 of the team's first 30 games during the shortened season. He is hitting .246 with a .338 on-base percentage to go with two home runs.

An abbreviated summer training camp in Major League Baseball hasn't squandered the usual dose of "feel good" stories that fans normally get when rosters are finalized. 

On Friday, pitcher Daniel Bard became one of them. 

Daniel Bard, Matt Kemp and Chris Owings have been informed they made the team. pic.twitter.com/dLw6BDfpXQ

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) July 17, 2020

The Colorado Rockies announced that Bard made the team after seven years out of the majors. Now 35, Bard last pitched one inning for the Boston Red Sox in 2013 before the reliever was designated for assignment after five years with the club. 

After his time in Boston ended, Bard bounced around between the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals organizations but never found his way back into an MLB park. 

Instead, he seemed to develop some yips on the mound, losing control of his pitches along the way and, briefly, his career.

Bard, who could touch 100 mph with his fastball, retired in 2017 and joined the Arizona Diamondbacks a few months later as a player mentor. 

But his time off the mound gave his body a chance to reset and the Rockies gave him an opportunity to prove it further with a minor league deal in February. When MLB went on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic in March, the 6'4", 197-pound Houston native continued to put in work and use the extra time to fine-tune his comeback. 

The former first-round pick out of North Carolina explained what's changed to MassLive's Chris Cotillo on The Fenway Rundown podcast in May:

"The way I feel now trumps anything I felt from 2012 to 2017 when I retired. It's hard to describe. It just feels—throwing and pitching feels natural. It feels fun. Body feels free and easy. That's not to say there's not still challenges. I have some good days and some not-so-good days. But at the same time, the overall feeling is just like, 'This is what throwing a baseball is meant to feel like.' It's the way I felt for my first three years in Boston. It's the way I felt in college and coming up through the minor leagues for the first part. When I stumbled onto that feeling, I couldn't deny it."

The right-hander will resume his MLB career with a lifetime 3.67 ERA, 1.220 WHIP, 252 strikeouts and 121 walks in 257.1 innings pitched. 

He'll look to help the Rockies return to the playoffs after a streak of back-to-back postseason appearances was snapped in 2019.

The Colorado Rockies have reportedly signed veteran Matt Kemp to a minor league deal, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

He will replace Ian Desmond on the roster after Desmond announced he would opt out of the 2020 season. The 34-year-old explained his reasoning in an Instagram post Monday:

In a very powerful Instagram post, Ian Desmond explains why he's opting out of the 2020 season.https://t.co/lBTlkaIjf7 pic.twitter.com/6b4hdmkRcS

— Cut4 (@Cut4) June 30, 2020

Kemp appeared in just 20 major league games last season with the Cincinnati Reds, hitting .200 with one home run.

The 35-year-old later received a chance with the New York Mets but was released after just eight Triple-A games.

After signing with the Miami Marlins in December, he appeared in 11 spring training games but once again struggled with a .143 batting average.

Despite his recent problems, Kemp is only two years removed from earning an All-Star selection with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018. He hit .290 with 21 home runs and an .818 OPS that year, showing he's capable of being productive despite his advanced age.

Additionally, the introduction of a designated hitter to the National League creates another option for Kemp to provide value to the Rockies.

The two-time Gold Glove outfielder has been a burden defensively in recent years, totaling minus-83 defensive runs saved in the last six seasons combined, per FanGraphs.

He had been working at first base during the spring with the Marlins, providing Colorado with another option.

Though Kemp might not be able to replace Desmond and his 42 home runs over the past two years, the veteran could still help the Rockies this season.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond announced he's opting out of the 2020 MLB season, citing the coronavirus pandemic and the need to be with his family.

"But that doesn't mean I'm leaving baseball behind for the year," Desmond said. "I'll be right here, at my old Little League, and I'm working with everyone involved to make sure we can get Sarasota Youth Baseball back on track."

His announcement came at the end of a lengthy post lamenting the lack of diversity across MLB, increasing costs of youth baseball, and the racism he has experienced in his life.

Desmond wrote: "In clubhouses we've got racist, sexist, homophobic jokes or flat-out problems. We've got cheating. We've got a minority issue from the top down. One African American GM. Two African American managers. Less than 8% Black players. No Black majority team owners."

— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) June 30, 2020

Desmond opened by saying he visited the Little League fields in Sarasota, Florida, on which he played growing up. He said the fields looked "run down" and "neglected," lamenting how traditional Little Leagues have given way to travel baseball and showcase events that can be cost-prohibitive for some young players:

"I had the most heartbreak and the most fulfillment right there on those fields – in the same exact place. I felt the hurt of racism, the loneliness of abandonment, and so many other emotions. But I also felt the triumph of success. The love of others. The support of a group of men pulling for each other and picking one another up as a team.

"I got to experience that because it was a place where baseball could be played by any kid who wanted it. It was there, it was affordable, and it was staffed by people who cared.

"But if we don't have these parks, academies, teachers, coaches, religious institutions – if we don't have communities investing in people's lives -- what happens to the kids who are just heartbroken and never get that moment of fulfillment?"

Desmond also said there's a "puzzling lack of focus" on increasing diversity in MLB and "a lack of focus on making baseball accessible and possible for all kids, not just those who are privileged enough to afford it."

Diversity has been a longstanding issue across MLB—particularly in front offices and ownership—and it's extending beyond the league as well. Echoing what Desmond said, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell told Al Jazeera America's Ray Glier in 2014 that baseball is simply becoming far too expensive, especially in relation to other sports.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic could exacerbate the situation, with many minor league players finding themselves out of a job. Most minor league players never go on to great MLB careers, but Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore explained how they can be invaluable toward the long-term health of baseball:

In a conference call with local media members today, Royals GM Dayton Moore said this about the club's decision to stand by their minor league players: pic.twitter.com/8ZfWWx95Jh

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) May 29, 2020

Should some of those released minor league players fall out of the game altogether, the sport could lose out on the same kind of people who helped Desmond ultimately reach the majors.

The 34-year-old will at least do what he can to pay it forward.

He's the fourth player to opt out for the upcoming 60-game season. The Washington Nationals announced Ryan Zimmerman and Joe Ross removed themselves for this year, while the Arizona Diamondbacks confirmed they'll be without Mike Leake.

Colorado Rockies All-Star outfielder Charlie Blackmon understands the public safety concerns related to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, but he is hoping Major League Baseball can figure out how to safely begin its 2020 season soon.

Blackmon said on The Rich Eisen Show on Monday:

"A lot of players have concerns. I'm one of them. I don't want to get sick, and I don't want to bring people together such that other people get sick, especially those that are at risk.

"But at the same time, I'm not playing, I'm not getting paid, and neither are a lot of people that work at the stadium. There's a lot of people that depend on Major League Baseball for their livelihood. But bigger than that, this country needs baseball."

MLB's Opening Day was meant to take place March 26.

MLB owners are expected to propose a plan for the 2020 season Tuesday, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported earlier Monday:

MLB owners have approved a proposal for the 2020 season to present to the players’ union, source tells The Athletic. Meeting expected between union and league tomorrow.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 11, 2020

MLB revenue-sharing plan is a nonstarter for the players’ association. Union head Tony Clark: “A system that restricts player pay based on revenues is a salary cap, period.” Story with @EvanDrellich: https://t.co/4TXrKHAMhF

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 11, 2020

Sean Doolittle, a relief pitcher for the reigning champion Washington Nationals, tweeted a lengthy thread about what he will be looking for in the plan:

Bear with me, but it feels like we've zoomed past the most important aspect of any MLB restart plan: health protections for players, families, staff, stadium workers and the workforce it would require to resume a season. Here are some things I'll be looking for in the proposal...

— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020

Covid-19 patients often develop lung scarring, or 'ground-glass opacities'. These were found even in asymptomatic patients, and because the virus often affects both lungs, can cause permanent damage in some cases. Definitely a concern for an athlete. https://t.co/M7JknHBmdM

— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020

And we've learned that you release the most virus into your environment prior to symptoms even showing. So how frequently will we be testing to stay ahead of a potential spread and to mitigate as much risk as possible? https://t.co/ITimbAdfvl

— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020

So how many tests do we need to safely play during a pandemic? And not just tests for players. Baseball requires a massive workforce besides the players; coaches, clubhouse staff, security, grounds crews, umpires, gameday stadium staff, TV & media...we need to protect everyone.

— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) May 11, 2020

Doolittle also cited a piece from Rosenthal published Monday about major league players with underlying health concerns who are at higher risk if they contract COVID-19.

"It's definitely scary," Rockies outfielder David Dahl, who had his spleen removed in 2015, told Rosenthal. "My immune system is pretty bad. But I trust the medical experts, the guys with the Rockies, everyone who will be involved that if we do come back and play, we’ll be safe and taking the right precautions to make sure we aren’t at a greater risk."

Results for an antibody test administered to MLB employees were relayed Sunday:

A Stanford study that tested 5,603 MLB employees for COVID-19 antibodies found a positive rate of 0.7%, lower than expected. Angels, Mets and Yankees employees had the highest rates, though still lower than those counties overall. More from @molly_knight: https://t.co/CHXKulbvF6

— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) May 10, 2020

https://twitter.com/molly_knight/status/1259585452710871041

No major American professional sports league has started its season or resumed since suspending operations in mid-March. But some Major League Soccer clubs and NBA teams have allowed training to resume at facilities.

Colorado Rockies infielder Daniel Murphy donated $100,000 to the More Than Baseball organization to help support minor league players during baseball's hiatus amid the COVID-19 pandemic, per Jake Seiner of the Associated Press:

Just filed to @ap_sports: Rockies INF Daniel Murphy has donated $100,000 to @mtb_org to help minor league players make ends meet with the season on hold.

Joins Shin-Soo Choo, Adam Wainwright as MLBers making significant $ contributions to help MiLBers.

— Jake Seiner (@Jake_Seiner) April 1, 2020

Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that minor league players would be paid a weekly allowance of $400 and receive their health benefits through either May 31 or the start of the minor league Opening Day, per the AP (h/t ESPN).

MLB did suspend minor league contracts, however.

Murphy, 35, appeared in 132 games for the Rockies last season, hitting .279 with 13 homers and 78 RBI.

The MLB season has been delayed until at least mid-May because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the teams are "committed to playing as many games as possible," according to Commissioner Rob Manfred.

In a conference call with reporters Thursday, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black mentioned that he'd be up for more doubleheaders.

"In theory, yeah, I think all of us would be up for some sort of doubleheader situation," Black said. "The thing that's going to be in front of all of us is it's going to be the same for everybody. It's got to make sense for the clubs and the players."

San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi noted the need to get "creative" with the scheduling process.

"I know that when we're able to safely play, we're going to have to think of creative ways to get in as many games as possible given all the time that's going to be lost," Zaidi said. "I don't really have any specific thoughts on that, but I know everybody's going to be thinking through ways to do that."

MLB also needs to budget time for players to transition back into the game. Black said that teams will have a three-week spring training when an exact regular-season start date is known.

Doubleheaders were common in MLB's earlier years, and ESPN's Jim Caple noted in 2015 that the 1943 Chicago White Sox played a league-record 44 sets. Of course, the game is a bit different now, but playing doubleheaders as needed isn't uncommon.           

Colorado Rockies star Nolan Arenado isn't on speaking terms with general manager Jeff Bridich but isn't upset the team failed to move him this offseason.

Arenado explained to USA Today's Bob Nightengale that the issue for him is how the Rockies' decision to shop him around the trade market became public.

"I wasn't mad that I wasn't traded," he said. "I was just upset it was out there. I guess they felt they needed to put it out in the public to let the fans know what was going on. I just thought it should have been kept in-house. So it was just frustration, a mixture of a lot of things, that came out."

Last offseason, Arenado signed an eight-year, $260 million extension with Colorado. Considering he turns 29 in April, the deal could carry him through the remainder of his MLB career.

However, he can opt out after the 2021 season, which creates a dilemma for the Rockies. They could see their best player walk out the door for nothing in two years, but trading Arenado would be poorly received from the fanbase regardless of the circumstances.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported in December that the Rockies were engaged in preliminary trade talks. Bridich confirmed the report but added a move was unlikely to materialize, which led Arenado to speak publicly on the matter.

"There's a lot of disrespect from people there that I don't want to be a part of," he said to MLB.com's Thomas Harding. "You can quote that."

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the situation "has percolated for months in behind-the-scenes meetings" and that Arenado "expressed betrayal" by the Rockies' offseason inaction. Ownership indicated in the fall the team didn't plan to add much to the payroll

Monfort on the new team's new TV deal & impact: "It is going to be more money ... the revenues pass right through the payroll and we've proven that over time. It doesn't start until 2021 ... I don't think there are going to be any huge splashes (in free agency)

— Kyle Fredrickson (@kylefredrickson) October 1, 2019

Arenado's position probably isn't that much different from a significant segment of the fanbase that wants the Rockies front office to make a signing or two to improve the roster.

Still, it sets up a tricky dynamic for Bridich and manager Bud Black to handle as the 2020 season nears.

All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado is looking to move past the issues he had with the Colorado Rockies during the offseason. 

In an interview with Sports Illustrated's Stephanie Apstein, Arenado explained he has "to be optimistic" heading into the 2020 season for the sake of his team. 

"I'm not gonna be moping around," he said. "That doesn't bring out the best in me or these guys. I don't want to be a bad leader. I don't want to complain anymore. It would be counterproductive."

Arenado has been the subject of trade speculation amid reported discord with Rockies management about the state of the franchise. 

After general manager Jeff Bridich told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post that Colorado has "listened to teams regarding Nolan and really nothing has come of it," the six-time Gold Glove winner vented his frustration publicly. 

"There's a lot of disrespect from people there that I don't want to be a part of," Arenado wrote in a text to MLB.com's Thomas Harding. "You can quote that."

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported the Rockies' lack of offseason activity after a 71-91 record in 2019 was at the center of Arenado's discontent.

Apstein noted Arenado recently had a conversation with Rockies owner Dick Monfort, who "assured" his franchise player that the team was open to adding talent during the season. 

Arenado has some control over his situation to assure Bridich and Monfort continue their attempts to build a championship-caliber roster. The eight-year, $260 million extension he signed last February includes a player option after the 2021 season. 

Colorado's offseason signings have mostly been minor league deals for pitchers such as Ubaldo Jimenez and Tim Collins. The team made the postseason in 2017 and 2018 but fell to fourth in the National League West last season. 

Since making his MLB debut in 2013, Arenado ranks sixth among all National League players with 31.3 FanGraphs wins above replacement. The 28-year-old has hit at least 37 homers and driven in 110 runs in each of the past five seasons. 

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado signed an eight-year, $260 million extension with the team in February 2019, but his name has been involved in trade rumors this offseason. 

Arenado spoke with Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports on Friday and noted that there is currently a "disconnect" between him and the ball club as spring training is underway:

"To be honest with you, there is a disconnect right now, right? There's a little bit of a disconnect. But that doesn't mean it can't be fixed. It doesn't mean that I'm not gonna go out there and play hard for my teammates. Or be a negative presence in that locker room. That's just not me. It's not how I'm going to do things. I'm not going to be there trying to show them I don't want to be there. I'm not going to be that way. That's not fair. That's drawing attention to me.

"I know there's already been attention toward me right now. That's not really my style. I'm not trying to put my teammates in a bad position. You know? That's not really my thing. They know I'm going to go out there and play hard. There is a little bit of a disconnect for sure. But, like I said, that doesn't mean I can't go out there and play hard. That doesn't mean that I'm going to have a bad attitude. It means there's a disconnect. And I've got to move on from it. I don't need to surround myself with the negativity, because that's going to factor in my performance."

Arenado is a five-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove winner and five-time top-eight finisher in the National League MVP voting. He has hit no fewer than 37 home runs and knocked in no fewer than 110 runners in each of his past five years.

Arenado has also played no fewer than 155 games from 2015-2019.

He's unquestionably one of the top 10 players in the game, but the Rockies struggled last year to a 71-91 record, just one game ahead of last place in the National League West.

The logical question is whether Colorado would consider a rebuild after a down season following a 2018 campaign in which they made the playoffs. That would undoubtedly involve their top asset in Arenado, who could return a haul in return.

Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich told the Denver Post in January that he took calls on Arenado but that talks have been closed for now.

In response, Arenado told Patrick Saunder of the Denver Post that he felt "disrespected over there" and that his frustrations involved more than recent trade rumors.

Arenado's feelings on Bridich are very clear, as he sent this text to Troy Renck of Denver7.

"Jeff is very disrespectful. I never talk trash or anything. I play hard, keep my mouth shut. But I can only get crossed so many times."

Prospects for the Rockies this season aren't great, with Caesars Palace listed them with a 74.5-win over/under total. Still, Arenado is the main reason why the Rockies could surprise and be competitive this year given his incredible talents at the dish and hot corner.

The Rockies will begin their 2020 season on Thursday, March 26 against the San Diego Padres on the road.