In the immediate aftermath of Major League Baseball cancelling all remaining Spring Training games and delaying the start of the 2020 season in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, teams began to implement a wide range of policies and plans.
Some closed their respective Spring Training facilities, while the Los Angeles Dodgers kept Camelback Ranch open. Manager Dave Roberts explained the club intended to hold voluntary workouts and he noted the overwhelming sense was players wanted to remain in Arizona.
While the Dodgers planned to move forward with organized workouts, Roberts noted there would need to be a balance struck so as not to suffer lingering effects during what the organization anticipates would be a deep postseason run.
That now appears to be somewhat of a moot point, as players were advised to leave Spring Training, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network:
In a change, players are being sent home from spring camps now after an agreement between MLB and union. Possible some could remain but there will be no formal workouts. Players are concerned.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 13, 2020
Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times further clarified the Dodgers specifically were informed to leave Camelback Ranch:
Dodgers players have also been told to go home. https://t.co/XkGCr2dusv
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) March 13, 2020
Although MLB’s announcement indicated Opening Day was only pushed back for two weeks at this time, there already is a sense the regular season may not begin until May. That long of a layoff, coupled with workouts being limited, if not barred altogether, suggests a second Spring Training would be necessary and an April 9 start date is unlikely.
The state of limbo is particularly impactful for pitchers, who go through a deliberate build up during camp. Roberts expressed concern over that factor and acknowledged mapping out a plan was all the more difficult because of the uncertainty the coronavirus pandemic has brought about.
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