Cuban outfielder Yoennis Céspedes plans to return to the Major Leagues for the 2021 season and for this reason will be making an exhibition for interested teams on March 2, reports said.
According to information from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the exhibition will take place in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Cespedes barely played the first week of the shortened 60-game season amid the coronavirus pandemic. In that period, he hit only .161 (for 34-5) with two homeruns and four RBI’s.
The winner in consecutive editions of the Home Run Derby, decided early on not to continue with the New York Mets and then cited reasons related to COVID-19.
Prior to the 2020 campaign, the Cuban slugger had not played since July 2018 due to surgery on both heels, followed by a broken right ankle in a mysterious fall on his Florida farm, an injury that cost him the last part of his contract. $ 110 million for four years that he signed with the Mets for the 2016 season.
To avoid a lawsuit from the team, Céspedes agreed to cut his salary from $ 29 to $ 22.9 million in 2019 and to $ 11 million (prorated) in 2020 if he made the opening day roster. fetch.
Cespedes will likely have to prove he still has gas in his tank with a minor league contract and an invitation to a training camp.
This report uses information from Enrique Rojas.