Sean Doolittle, Nationals Players to Help Cover Minor Leaguers Pay Cuts
Washington Nationals reliever Sean Doolittle is leading the charge in the locker room to make sure the team’s minor leaguers get made whole. Doolittle and the rest of the Nationals’ roster are coming together to make up the difference for the reduced wages Nationals’ minor leaguers will suffer in the coming months.
— Sean Doolittle (@whatwouldDOOdo) June 1, 2020
“All of us were minor leaguers at one point in our careers,” Doolittle wrote on Twitter, “and we know how important the weekly stipends are for them and their families during these uncertain times.”
“Minor leaguers are an essential part of our organization and they are bearing the heaviest burden of this situation as their season is likely to be canceled. We recognize that and want to stand with them and show our support.”
The news comes after The Athletic reported the Nationals would be reducing minor leaguer’s pay by 25 percent starting June 1st, in addition to cutting several players.
In April, all MLB teams agreed to pay their minor leaguers $400/week through the end of May. After that, it was reported that it was up to the individual team to decide player stipends.
David Price is among other MLB players who announced they’d be helping players in their respective farm systems.
UPDATE: The Nationals have changed their mind and decided not to reduce minor leaguer’s pay.