Vaccine rollout may alter start of season

A disagreement between Major League Baseball owners and players over COVID-19 protocols is brewing and could put the start of spring training in question, USA Today reported on Tuesday.

Team officials want players to be vaccinated against the virus before reporting to Arizona and Florida training sites — even if that means delaying the start of the season and fewer games.

But the players want a full 162-game slate and their salaries in full, according to the report.

“I don't see a snowball's chance in hell that spring training can start with protocols in place,” a National League owner told USA Today on the condition of anonymity. “I think there will be significant pressure for players to get the vaccine first before they go to spring training, and if that has to be moved back to April and play 130 games, so be it.”

Players point to the fact they were able to finish a 60-game season and post-season, despite severe COVID-19 outbreaks among two teams and summer spikes in some states, as proof they safely can play a full schedule. They received just one-third of their salaries last year in the reduced season.

“Knowing what I know about last season, I feel that the 2021 season can be played in full,” Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said, per USA Today. “I'm hopeful for that. I'm just proud of everyone in the industry, from top to bottom, made that adjustment and made it work. We got to the finish line, there was a world champion for the 2020 season.”

Spring training is scheduled to start with pitchers and catchers reporting in mid-february. The regular season is set to begin on April 1.

Ownership, however, is aware gate receipts will be limited or non-existent, depending on their states, for the first several months of 2021, which will limit revenues and the ability to pay salaries.