Prior to Major League Baseball temporarily suspending operations due to concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Los Angeles Dodgers were entering the home stretch of Spring Training.
One of the biggest storylines in camp was the arrivals of Mookie Betts and David Price — both of whom were acquired in a trade with the Boston Red Sox at the start of February. The two players faced an adjustment period, switching coasts and leagues for the first time in their respective careers.
However, it didn’t take long for Betts and Price to settle in. The former delivered a motivational speech to his teammates on the first day of workouts, receiving praise from the likes of Justin Turner. Price was also beginning to find his groove before camp abruptly shut down.
He is looking forward to rejoining his teammates ahead of a potential 2020 season being agreed upon or imposed, via Ross Stripling’s “Big Swing Podcast”:
“Everything was starting to feel like second nature with the Dodgers. I was getting acclimated to everything, just getting to know all the guys better, and that got stopped very abruptly. Right when everything was starting to feel normal, so I’m definitely looking forward to getting that ball rolling again.”
With other professional sports leagues announcing return-to-play plans, the hope is that MLB will soon announce one of their own.
Complicating matters is the fact that team owners and the Players Association remain at odds over the length of a potential 2020 regular season. Players requested a 70-game schedule in their latest counterproposal, which reportedly didn’t go over well with the league.
Now more than halfway through the month of June, it would behoove both sides to compromise on a figure sooner rather than later to ensure a 2020 season is played.
If or when a 2020 schedule is in place, Price will figure to slot in behind Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler in the starting rotation. In the meantime, Price has already endeared himself to the Dodgers organizations and fans alike.
He personally pledged $1,000 for each Dodgers Minor League player this month in conjunction with the team extending their pay.
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