San Francisco Giants catcher, Buster Posey, opts out of 2020 MLB season

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KION - TV) -- San Francisco Giants catcher and three-time World Series champion, Buster Posey, has opted out of playing in a pandemic-shortened 2020 MLB season.

Posey made the announcement this morning after missing multiple workouts to start the training camp period for the MLB.

He says his decision was a tough one to make but "from a family standpoint and feeling like I'm making a decision to protect our children, I feel like it was relatively easy."

Posey tells the Associated Press his decision was made final after adopting identical twin girls who were born prematurely and are now in the NICU unit.

"If these babies hadn't been born right now and weren't premature, I'd probably be playing this season," Posey said.

The San Francisco Giants released a statement following the announcement that reads "The Giants fully support Buster's decision. Buster is an integral part of our team and will be sorely missed, but we look forward to having him back in 2021."

This 2020 MLB season is shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Players and owners agreed to a season which would see 60 games instead of the normal 162.