As coronavirus (COVID-19) cases continued to surge across the country, Major League Baseball was said to be weighing the possibility of delaying the start of Spring Training.
Doing so would have shorten the length of the regular season for a second consecutive year. Team owners were presumed to be willing to wait things out if it meant increasing odds of welcoming fans back to stadiums.
The Players Association, understandably, was against a delay and sought a full 162-game campaign. After various proposals didn’t lead to change, the start of Spring Training and regular season remained on track once health and safety protocols were agreed to.
However, not every player was opposed to the 2021 season potentially being delayed. David Price, who opted out of pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, saw positives to the upcoming campaign starting late if it meant players getting vaccinated, via Bob Nightengale of USA Today:
“I would love for everyone in MLB to be able to get the vaccine for sure,” said Los Angeles Dodgers starter David Price, who opted out of playing last season. “If that means starting later, then so be it. Hearing everyone talk about how taxing all of that was last year just to play, isn’t something I think everyone wants to go through again.”
As Price noted, the abbreviated 2020 season was difficult to navigate for all parties involved. There were strict protocols in place to prevent outbreaks, including social distancing requirements, weekly tests and limitations on travel.
Much of those remain in place under the new health and safety protocols, which arguably have added layers and more stringent guidelines.
Price plans to return for 2021 season
After watching the Dodgers win the World Series from home, Price has continued to maintain he is set to participate this season. Price said missing 2020 has further added in getting healthy and he is looking forward to contributing.
Though, there were rumblings of the Dodgers being open to trading the veteran left-hander due to luxury tax implications. That surfaced prior to the team signing Trevor Bauer, but it has not been reported since.
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