While Major League Baseball first attempted to address the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) by restricting clubhouse access to players and essential personnel, they were required to take further action in the wake of the NBA suspending its season.
MLB began down a similar path by cancelling all remaining Spring Training games and delaying the start of the regular season for at least two weeks. Holding Opening Day on April 9 appeared unlikely at the time, and it’s continued to grow all the more unrealistic.
MLB has since suspended Spring Training operations and banned formal workouts or other activities that would result in players gathering together. The directive was in response to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizing citizens exercise “social distancing.”
On Monday, commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed what was becomingly increasingly obvious — ruling out the MLB season beginning on April 9.
“Following last night’s newly updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) restricting events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, the opening of the 2020 regular season will be pushed back in accordance with that guidance,” MLB said in a statement.
“MLB will keep fans updated on decisions regarding plans for the 2020 schedule in the days and weeks ahead. The Clubs remain committed to playing as many games as possible when the season begins.
“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.”
Prior to Manfred conceding as much, there was a growing sense the baseball season would not begin until May, at the earliest. The CDC suggested large events and mass gatherings (50 or more people) not be held for at least the next eight weeks in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
With the CDC’s latest recommendation, MLB and other professional sports leagues don’t figure to operate within their respective prior timelines — at least not with fans in attendance. NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he plans to re-evaluate matters after a 30-day window that stretched into mid-April.
The CDC’s suggestion pushes a theoretical timeline for baseball back to May 10. Of course, that would be a best-case scenario. The longer the layoff, the more a second Spring Training becomes necessary, and it lessens the chance of playing a full season.
Given size of rosters, plus needing to take into account a coaching staff and medical personnel, MLB presumably wouldn’t begin to have players return to action until health officials have given clearance or lifted strict recommendations.
The Dodgers were scheduled to host the San Francisco Giants on March 26 for Opening Day at Dodger Stadium.
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