Both Peter Reckell and Kristian Alfonso (Bo & Hope) left of their own accord, tired of the pace, the lack of decent story, but mostly just wanting a rest from it. Heck, when Kristian did her last Days show, she happened to run into Alison Sweeney (Sami), & agreed immediately to guest on one of Alison's Hallmark series.
But both Peter & Kristian said they just would not return, were tired of it all. Eventually, evidently both agreed to do something in the Beyond Salem area, but evidently now, they might guest on regular show, but are not interested in full time. Peter wants to spend time with his family, so does Kristian, besides perhaps getting to something else short term