Hoyer disappointed Cubs players are declining vaccines

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer is disappointed that players within the organization are declining to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

"It's disappointing to not be at 85% as a team," Hoyer said Thursday, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. "We've worked hard to try and convince or educate the people that have been reluctant. ... I'm not going to give up hope we're going to get there (but) my level of optimism is waning."

Major League Baseball allows teams with 85% of their players vaccinated to loosen some pandemic regulations, including wearing masks and fraternizing in the clubhouse. About half of MLB clubs have reached that threshold.

"There are conveniences that come with getting to 85% as a group," Hoyer continued. "Mask-wearing, dining, and things like that, that we would all like to have."

He added: "There's a competitive advantage we're going to miss. Being transparent about it, we're not a player away from being at 85%. It's a disappointing thing that we'll have anxieties and restrictions that others don't."

Hoyer didn't name specific players who are refusing to get vaccinated.

Former MVP Kris Bryant said he'd received the vaccine recently. However, right-hander Jake Arrieta expressed skepticism, stating he doesn't see getting the vaccine "as a competitive advantage or disadvantage," according to Gordon Wittenmyer of NBC Sports.