Braves are free of virus and free to leave camp

All spring training operations have been suspended by MLB.

NORTH PORT, FLA. — The Braves won’t be staying in Florida, after all. At least not all of them.

MLB announced it suspended all spring training operations, effective Friday evening. The decree comes a day after MLB canceled its exhibition season and announced the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Players were given three options: Go home to his regular-season city, go to an offseason home or stay in the spring training cities. Multiple Braves players have already departed North Port, Florida.

MLB’s announcement came hours after Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos spoke with reporters on a conference call. He confirmed the team intended to stay in Florida and work out. The Braves held a light workout Friday morning and would have the next two days off as their facil

ities underwent a “deep cleaning.” They planned to reconvene Monday.

That will no longer be the case. After conversations between MLB and the players’ union, the players were empowered to make the decisions they deem best. Many players had reportedly expressed concern over staying in Florida or Arizona and wanted to be with their families.

“I think everyone understands the circumstances,” Anthopoulos said earlier in the day. “Nobody has ever faced anything like this. Things are fluid and things are changing.”

No Braves on the major or minor league side have the coronavirus, Anthopoulos said Friday. He would not get into the details of the testing because of HIPAA laws. The medical staff has addressed players with precautions.

The Braves haven’t delved into the baseball side of the equation, including how they’ll manage player preparations. Given the time it takes players, and specifically pitchers, to ready for the regular season, it’s become increasingly more likely the season is delayed beyond two weeks.

MLB’s original suspension announcement meant April 9 was the earliest possible start date, but with some athletes now leaving their spring training sites, that possibility is extremely unlikely.

“We have talked no baseball at all,” Anthopoulos said. “This is well beyond baseball. Our discussions today were about what’s going on around the world right now and our families. … Today was not a day to get into baseball at all.”

The Braves issued a statement Friday afternoon:

“Yesterday, Major League Baseball canceled the remaining scheduled spring training games and will delay the start of the 2020 regular season by at least two weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In these unprecedented times, we are reminded, the healthy and safety of our fans, employees, players and the community at large has been, and always will be, a priority for us.

“While MLB works through a variety of contingency plans regarding the 2020 regular-season schedule, we ask that you remain patient and flexible as we continue to monitor the rapidly changing situation and work with MLB towards a solution that protects public health and safety.

“While we are disappointed to begin our season later than anticipated, we continue to be grateful for the passion our fans have for our organization.

“As we learn more as it specifically relates to your membership and tickets, we will be in touch. In the meantime, stay safe.”

CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM “This is well beyond baseball. Our discussions today were about what’s going on around the world right now and our families. … Today was not a day to get into baseball at all,” says Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos.