Pirates' Socrates Brito Opts Out Of MLB Season After Brother Dies From COVID-19
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Socrates Brito has reportedly elected to sit out the remainder of the 2020 MLB season ... after his brother tragically passed away from COVID-19.
27-year-old Brito had been spending his time at the team's alternate site after not making the roster at the beginning of the season ... and was part of the 60-man player pool eligible to be brought up.
MLB Network's Jon Heyman says Socrates' brother passed last week ... which sparked his decision to head home.
What's even scarier, Brito was diagnosed with COVID earlier this year .. but fortunately was able to make a recovery and report to the team in July.
The coronavirus pandemic has left a major impact on the MLB this season ... with several teams -- including the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals -- reporting outbreaks so far.
But, MLB has been able to continue to play most of its games ... and are still planning to complete the season.
