Shortly after the Los Angeles Dodgers had their split-squad Cactus League games cancelled due to inclement weather, Major League Baseball announced all Spring Training games were suspended in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
MLB also indefinitely postponed World Baseball Classic qualifier games and delayed the start of the 2020 regular season for at least two weeks. As it currently stands, the earliest date for Opening Day will be April 9.
“These are unprecedented times, and the health and safety of our community is of the utmost importance to the Los Angeles Dodgers,” the team said in a released statement.
“Today, Major League Baseball announced the suspension of all Spring Training games and the delay of the start of the regular season by at least two weeks due to the impact of the coronavirus. In coordination with MLB, we will provide more information about our plans, including our ticket policy for impacted games, as soon as it is available.
“We appreciate your patience as we work with MLB and local health and government agencies towards a resolution that is best for the continued safety of the entire extended Dodger family.”
MLB’s swift action comes in the wake of Utah Jazz teammates Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell testing positive for the coronavirus. The NBA immediately suspended its season indefinitely, the MLS and NHL followed suit, and NCAA also cancelled their men’s and women’s basketball tournaments.
If MLB is able to resume play during the second week of April, the Dodgers will have missed games against the San Francisco Giants (six), Colorado Rockies (three) and St. Louis Cardinals (three).
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Camelback Ranch will remain open to players for workouts, though they are not required to attend. MLB’s release said the league and all 30 teams “have been preparing a variety of contingency plans regarding the 2020 regular season schedule.”
Late Wednesday night, the California Department of Public Health suggested cancelling or postponing all gatherings of at least 250 people. That alone figured to have an impact on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium, which was set for March 26.
On Wednesday, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus crisis to be a pandemic.
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