MLB limits autographs due to virus
Precautions being taken during spring training
A baseball fan’s treasure trove sat on a table outside the Giants clubhouse Saturday morning — hundreds of baseball cards signed by the franchise’s biggest stars.
Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Evan Longoria and more, all ready for eager autograph seekers at the club’s spring training home in Scottsdale.
A generous gesture, but also a measure aimed at keeping players and fans safe amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“You know just the amount of people that come to games, come to ask for autographs and stuff like that, that’s the biggest fear,” Longoria said. “But outside of that, what are you gonna do?”
That’s what clubs are trying to figure out. The COVID-19 strain has already been diagnosed in patients in Florida and Arizona, the home bases for all 30 major league teams during spring training. Like pro sports leagues around the world, Major League Baseball is trying to balance fan experience with public health.
At the Giants’ facility in Scottsdale, personnel cleaned railings and seats around the ballpark shortly before fans began arriving for an afternoon game against the White Sox. Daily sanitizing measures have become standard practice in the Giants’ clubhouse, too, as have reminders about hand-washing and warnings that ill players should stay home.
MLB sent a memo to teams 10 days ago sharing recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control aimed at stemming the virus outbreak. The league has formed a task force to monitor the situation and provided periodic updates to teams on measures to protect fans, players and team personnel — including the suggestion to have players pre-sign memorabilia.
Fans are still filling spring training parks, but they aren’t getting quite the same access. Any other year, these spring games are an ideal chance for young fans to meet their favorite stars during batting practice. On Saturday, the Giants adhered to club and league wishes and mostly stayed clear, save for a couple players and coaches who used their gloves to bump fists.
Yankees fighting injuries: Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez was scratched from batting practice Saturday due to a sore back, though manager Aaron Boone said he doesn’t think the problem is serious.
Boone said he thought the soreness stemmed from Sanchez playing backto-back games for the first time in spring training. Boone said he expected Sanchez would be shut down on Sunday, but didn’t rule out a return to game action in a few days.
“His back was a little sore this morning,” Boone said. “Nothing I’m too concerned about. I think that’s kind of normal wear and tear (after) first back-to-backs kind of thing. I don’t think it will be much of an issue.”
Sanchez joins a growing list of Yankees’ regulars impacted by injuries.
Slugger Aaron Judge has a broken rib. It’s not clear whether he will need surgery, leaving doubt when he’ll be back in the lineup.
Giancarlo Stanton strained his right calf on Feb. 26 during defensive drills and will miss opening day on March 26. Center fielder Aaron Hicks had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 31 and is not expected back until summer.
Extra innings: OF Trey Mancini has left the Orioles to undergo what the team is calling “a non-baseball-related medical procedure.” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Mancini “is going to miss some time” but didn’t say how much . ... OF Oscar Mercado’s left wrist is only sprained, and the Indians are crossing their fingers it will heal in time for him to be ready for opening day. An MRI taken Friday confirmed the sprain, which occurred the previous day.