Union delays vote while seeking COVID-19 info
The Major League Baseball Players Association delayed voting on the league’s latest proposal while it collects further information on health and safety protocols, according to multiple reports on Saturday.
Recent positive coronavirus tests led to the shutdown of spring training sites, and the MLBPA is seeking to learn more about the health plan as COVID-19 continues to be an issue. The season was scheduled to start March 26, but the pandemic led to a delay.
ESPN reported that the vote could have taken Sunday, but will now likely be delayed by one or two days.
MLB is expecting an answer from the MLBPA per a 60-game proposal with expanded playoffs. If the MLBPA turns down the offer, commissioner Rob Manfred has the power to implement a schedule, which would likely consist of somewhere between 50 and 60 games.
The union presented a 70-game proposal earlier this week, and MLB quickly shot it down.
MLB closed down training sites and will have them undergo through cleaning with coronavirus infections on the rise in Florida and Arizona.
On Friday, the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants shut down their training facilities due to positive tests for the coronavirus, and the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels announced that players had contracted COVID-19.
The Phillies closed their Clearwater, Florida, campus after five players and three staff members tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Blue Jays shut their training site in nearby Dunedin after a player exhibited symptoms of COVID-19.
The Giants’ camp in Scottsdale, Arizona, was closed after a person who recently was on site, as well as a family member, came down with symptoms of the coronavirus.
The Astros stated in a press release that an unnamed player who had been training at the team’s West Palm Beach, Florida, facility tested positive. According to the team, the player dealt with only minor symptoms and was making a smooth recovery.
Angels general manager Billy Eppler told reporters that the organization had two players with COVID-19, but he would not say whether they were majorleaguers or minor-leaguers.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that the Yankees and Mets would train in the state if MLB attempts to start the season.
“I think New York now is especially attractive, compared to the other states, because we have such a low transmission rate, and this is a state that is ready, willing and able to partner with sports teams so that they can play,” said Cuomo.
The Yankees initially planned to venture to their spring training complex in Tampa, while the Mets were undecided between New York and their training camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Now, they’ll train at Citi Field while the Yankees will be at Yankee Stadium. (Reuters)