NFL players urged to avoid group workouts

NEW YORK — NFL players should avoid engaging in group workouts as COVID-19 cases are rising again in the United States, the medical director of the sport’s players association said on Saturday.

Major League Soccer, the National Hockey League, Major League Baseball and the NFL all confirmed positive tests in a 24-hour period starting Friday.

“It is our consensus medical opinion that in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in certain states that no players should be engaged in practicing together in private workouts,” NFLPA Medical Director Thom Mayer said in a statement. “It is in the best interest of all players that we advise against any voluntary joint practices before training camp commences.”

The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The COVID-19 outbreak has claimed more than 121,000 lives in the United States, and there has been a surge in new cases in several states this week.

The NFL said on Thursday that it would “make adjustments as necessary” to keep players safe after top U.S. health official Anthony Fauci cast doubt on the 2020 season, which is set to kick off in September.

The Yankees and Mets are in talks to resume spring training in New York after it was suspended in Florida following a rise in COVID-19 cases, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday.

The state will review the health and safety protocols for both professional baseball teams, Cuomo said on a conference call with reporters. “I can’t remember the last time we had spring training in New York,” he said.

Baseball teams closed their facilities in Florida and Arizona — where infections are rising at a record pace — after the Philadelphia Phillies said five players tested positive and the Houston Astros reported one team member got infected, The Associated Press reported earlier.