The story is, the New York Mets sent security personnel to an Atlanta hotel on Sunday afternoon, to a particular room, and had them open the door.
It is how they learned Yoenis Céspedes was gone.
Sometime later, continues the story, after Céspedes had been absent from Sunday morning meetings at the hotel, a bus to the ballpark, pregame preparations there and then an actual baseball game, they learned why.
“He’s decided to opt out of the remainder of the season,” general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said, “for COVID-related reasons.”
Céspedes is the 19th player (one reconsidered) to pass on a baseball summer that carries a disjointed baseball season.