The Los Angeles Dodgers already were among a handful of teams who had already committed to continue paying Minor League players during the coronavirus (COVID-19) shutdown, and now Major League Baseball made that a mandate across the board.
MLB announced a league-wide initiative that established uniform compensation for Minor Leaguers, covering the period between present time and just before the originally scheduled start of their season — April 8.
Each player who is signed to a Minor League contract will receive a lump sum equal to the allowances that would have been paid through their Spring Training camp.
The exceptions are non-40-man-roster players who are already receiving Major League allowances; players who are currently receiving housing, food or other services from clubs; and players who were not participating in, or expected to participate in, Minor League Spring Training.
While MLB teams are providing pay for Minor League players over the next few weeks, there is still uncertainty beyond that point. The season is not going to start on time, and like with MLB, when Opening Day will be held is unclear.
If or how Minor Leaguers will be paid beyond April 8 may not be set, but it’s on the radar. Part of MLB’s announcement included the league “remains in communication with clubs on the development of an industry-wide plan for Minor League player compensation from April 9th through the beginning of the coming season.”
Although fans and Major Leaguers alike have been left with a void amid the coronavirus pandemic, players not on a 40-man roster and stadium employees have in particular faced financial hardship.
Earlier this week MLB announced all 30 teams each pledged at least $1 million to pay to stadium workers. MLB and the MLB Players Association also made a $1 million joint donation to Feeding America and Wheels on America.
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