Major League Baseball announced the extension of financial support for Minor League players through May 31 or until the beginning of the 2020 MiLB season — whichever occurs first. Each team will make its own arrangements to provide support for players on Dominican Summer League rosters during the same period.
The announcement comes shortly after MLB said Minor League players would receive their stipends and allowances through April 8, when Opening Day of their season was initially scheduled for.
All players will continue to receive medical benefits and may continue to use any balance they have in the College Scholarship Plan or Continuing Education Program.
The exceptions are players who are signed to Major League contracts; players who are already receiving housing, food or other services from teams; and players on the restricted, voluntary retired, disqualified or ineligible Lists.
The announced deal also included procedural process, as MLB informed MiLB it is unable to provide players for affiliates due to the national health emergency that has been created by the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
MLB’s statement said, “We will continue to monitor ongoing events and undertake the precautions and best practices recommended by public health experts, and urge all baseball fans to follow suit. MLB extends its best wishes to all the individuals and communities who have been impacted by the coronavirus.”
Although MLB left open the possibility of the payment program ending before May 31 because the season would begin, that is widely considered an unlikely scenario. The general consensus for the best-case is a second Spring Training begins at some point in May and the MLB regular season stages Opening Day in June.
In addition to pay for Minor League players, all 30 MLB teams pledged at least $1 million in relief for their respective stadium workers.
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