David Price is playing in his 14th Major League season and third as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization since being acquired from the Boston Red Sox before the 2020 campaign, but his career may be coming to an end after the season.
The 37-year-old is in the final year of his contract and previously noted he was contemplating retirement after the 2022 season, but added it depends on what his children want him to do. Bob Nightengale of USA Today then reported on Sunday that Price made the decision to retire.
However, Price said he hasn’t officially decided on what his future holds, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
David Price hasn’t decided if he will retire at the end of the season.
At least not yet officially.
After a report from USA Today on Sunday morning said the Dodgers veteran was planning to retire at the end of the season, Price clarified with reporters that he has yet to make a final decision and that he first wants to focus on finishing the year.
The left-hander is currently on the 15-day injured list due to left wrist inflammation, but he remains optimistic it won’t end his season. Price has also dealt with various injuries throughout the season.
“He hasn’t been really healthy all year,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently said. “But he’s been grinding and trying to pick everybody up. I just think we kind of came to a breaking point there in Miami.”
Despite the health issues, Price has proved to be effective in his bullpen role. Across 38.1 innings this season, he has pitched to a 2.58 ERA and 3.85 FIP with a 1.17 WHIP.
If Price does decide to retire, he will walk away from the game with an accomplished career that includes being the first overall pick in the 2007 MLB Draft, the 2012 American League Cy Young Award winner and a 2018 World Series champion.
David Price expected to face live hitters
Price threw a bullpen session on Saturday and the next step is to face batters this week.
Price is still looking at more than a week until he is able to return, Roberts said, but the veteran reliever hopes to be ready for the postseason.
“It’s a very long season and we have a lot of significant baseball left,” Price said after being placed on the injured list. “I want to be a part of that, so this was the right decision to make for the time being. I’ll be back out there.”
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