Mariners Moose Tracks, 6/30/20: Mike Leake, Ryan Zimmerman, and Ian Desmond

Following the roster announcements on Sunday, players are now deciding if they will play or opt-out of the 2020 season

By Becca Weinberg@becca_weinberg Jun 30, 2020, 7:00am PDT

MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at Arizona Diamondbacks

In Mariners News...

With the signing of Connor Phillips yesterday, the Mariners have now signed all six of their draft picks.

#Mariners sign RHP Connor Phillips.

The Mariners have signed all six of their selections from the 2020 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Read: https://t.co/HfIiwJKvaB pic.twitter.com/a7nhswkU7n
— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) June 29, 2020

Around The League...

Celebrities join together to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues.

Today, we all tip our cap to the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues. #TipYourCap2020 pic.twitter.com/dIcVYiRBHj
— MLB (@MLB) June 30, 2020

As players get ready to start summer training, MLB has officially announced all of the rule changes for the upcoming season.

MLB officially announces rules changes:

- DH in the National League
- Extra innings will start with runner on 2nd
- Arguing/brawling and spitting prohibited
- No pregame lineup card exchange
- Three-batter minimum remains in effect
- Any player may appear as a pitcher
— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) June 29, 2020

Mike Leake has opted out of the 2020 season and can become a free agent for the 2021 season.

Diamondbacks right-hander Mike Leake becomes the first player to opt out of the 2020 season: https://t.co/gsGQgRKsP2
— MLB Daily Dish (@mlbdailydish) June 29, 2020

The Blue Jays have been cleared to return to Canada and play all of their home games this season in Toronto.

Blue Jays get clearance to return to Canada, will play all 2020 home games in Toronto, per report https://t.co/C13NKD8W4a
— CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) June 29, 2020

Ryan Zimmerman has announced that he won’t be participating in the 2020 season but is not retiring.

Statement from Ryan Zimmerman. Not retiring. https://t.co/mVgzJCm5OT
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 29, 2020

Ian Desmond shared a powerful Instagram post explaining the current state of our world, how he’s dealing with it, and why he won’t be participating in the 2020 season:

The Rockies’ Ian Desmond has opted out of the 2020 season, but that feels secondary to a heartfelt, incisive Instagram post about his place in the world and baseball’s as well. The whole post is here: https://t.co/rLnOu3CP2k.

But the part I’ve attached is important and spot-on. pic.twitter.com/ndyE6juKbp
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 30, 2020

Former Mariner alert:

The #Marlins have agreed with RHP Nick Vincent
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) June 29, 2020