Yoenis Cespedes Opts Out of Season After Not Reporting for Mets' Game vs. Braves

New York Mets star Yoenis Cespedes has opted out of the 2020 season after failing to report to the team for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Braves.

Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen confirmed the news, noting Cespedes is healthy and safe. 

Prior to the announcement, New York issued a statement during the game, saying he "did not reach out to management with any explanation for his absence," adding they had been unable to reach Cespedes.

Van Wagenen told reporters that when Cespedes didn't report, the Mets sent team security to his room and found it empty. Cespedes had taken his belongings and informed the team of his decision to opt out in the middle of the game against Atlanta, per Van Wagenen.

An unidentified New York player said Cespedes was "disgruntled," per USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

Former Mets beat writer Adam Rubin noted the team experienced a similar situation with former starting pitcher Matt Harvey. Harvey missed a workout in 2017, leading team personnel to visit him at his apartment.

Cespedes missed all of 2019 after undergoing ankle surgery, having played in 119 games between 2017 and 2018.

The two-time All-Star was off to a good start this season, hitting a homer to plate New York's only run in a 1-0 victory over the Braves on Opening Day.

He had just four hits since then, however. Through eight games, he was batting .161 with a .387 slugging percentage.

Cespedes was in the lineup for Saturday's 7-1 defeat to Atlanta, going 0-for-4 as the designated hitter.