![Rockies' Ian Desmond opts out of season and forgoes $5.6 million salary due to COVID risks](https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/200624093720-01-marge-schott-file-medium-plus-169.jpg)
Ian Desmond won't play in the upcoming MLB season, citing racism and coronavirus concerns
![Rockies' Ian Desmond opts out of season and forgoes $5.6 million salary due to COVID risks](https://images.wsj.net/im-210407/?width=700&height=467)
Big Stars Are Sitting Out the MLB Season. Other Players Have No Choice but to Play. - WSJ
![Rockies' Ian Desmond opts out of season and forgoes $5.6 million salary due to COVID risks](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/07/01/13/30267558-8476813-image-a-5_1593606797295.jpg)
Baseball's minor leagues cancel 2020 seasons due to coronavirus
![Rockies' Ian Desmond opts out of season and forgoes $5.6 million salary due to COVID risks](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/06/26/21/30103660-0-image-a-31_1593204764438.jpg)
Rockies' Ian Desmond opts out of season and forgoes $5.6 million salary due to COVID risks
![Rockies' Ian Desmond opts out of season and forgoes $5.6 million salary due to COVID risks](https://cdn.theathletic.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,height=1200,fit=cover/app/uploads/2021/02/18015114/VHWPEAlzQEg8_U0WA3iypM2Jx_1440x960.jpg)
Rockies' Ian Desmond opts out of 2021 season, citing 'desire to be with family' - The Athletic
![Rockies' Ian Desmond opts out of season and forgoes $5.6 million salary due to COVID risks](https://www.blazersland.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/imageedit_3_4833495005-640x639.jpg)
Blog - - Portland Trail Blazers Fansite
![Rockies' Ian Desmond opts out of season and forgoes $5.6 million salary due to COVID risks](https://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/003/904/243/hi-res-246e4c8ecf113d02a2f66366df1a34fc_crop_north.jpg?1613927579&w=3072&h=2048)
Rockies' Ian Desmond Opts Out of 2021 MLB Season; Forgoes $13.56M Past 2 Years, News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
![Rockies' Ian Desmond opts out of season and forgoes $5.6 million salary due to COVID risks](https://library.sportingnews.com/2021-08/ian-desmond-062920-getty-ftrjpg_1pkc3x23b5r1317zp15pofsz5l.jpg)
Rockies' Ian Desmond rips MLB culture, shares angst about race in opt-out message
![Rockies' Ian Desmond opts out of season and forgoes $5.6 million salary due to COVID risks](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2020/06/29/sports/29mlb-optout1/29mlb-optout1-mediumSquareAt3X.jpg)
Ryan Zimmerman, Joe Ross and Mike Leake Opt Out of MLB Season Citing Pandemic - The New York Times