Giants' Buster Posey opts out of 2020 MLB season, citing newborns' health

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey has opted not to play this season, telling reporters on Friday that his family recently adopted identical twin girls who were born prematurely. 

"After weighing it for a long time, talking to doctors, I just feel like in the current state that we are right now and these babies being as fragile as they are for the next four months at minimum, this ultimately wasn't that difficult a decision for me," Posey said.

Posey had missed the past three practices dealing with a personal issue. 

In a statement Friday, the Giants said they "fully support Buster's decision."

"Buster is an integral part of our team and will be sorely missed," the statement read, "but we look forward to having him back in 2021."

Posey, a six-time All-Star and three-time World Series champion, last season posted a slash line of .257/.320/.368 -- all the lowest of his career since he became an everyday player for the Giants in 2010. He hit .455 in exhibition games this year before spring training was halted March 12 because of the virus outbreak.

Posey's decision comes on the same day that MLB and the players' union announced there were 66 positive tests out of 3,748 taken through Thursday. Of those 66 positive tests -- or 1.8% of those who were tested -- 58 were players and the other eight were staff members.

Posey joins other big-name players like Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price, Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, Colorado Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond and Arizona pitcher Mike Leake in deciding not to take part in the 60-game season this year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.