Reds lay off less than 25% of staff, cut pay for others

CINCINNATI (AP) » The Reds are laying off less than 25% of their staff and reducing pay for others on June 1 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cincinnati made the announcement on its website Thursday.

The Miami Marlins will temporarily furlough 90 to 100 baseball operations employees beginning June 1, a person familiar with the decision said a day earlier. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Marlins didn’t comment publicly.

Commissioner Rob Manfred cleared the way this month for teams to lay off or reduce the pay of managers, coaches and trainers at both the major league and minor league levels. Full-time scouts, also are covered by Uniform Employee Contracts, could be involved in cutbacks.

CLEVELAND (AP) » Baker Mayfield isn’t waiting around for the NFL to re-open facilities.

Cleveland’s quarterback invited several of his Browns teammates, including tight end David Njoku and wide receiver Rashard Higgins, to work out with him in Texas during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Like the rest of the league, the Browns haven’t been able to conduct any of their organized off-season program because of the virus outbreak.

The league recently extended virtual workouts through May 29.

Mayfield is looking to bounce back after struggling last season, when the Browns buckled under huge expectations and finished 6-10. Mayfield, who broke the league rookie touchdown record in 2018, threw 22 TD passes last season but also 21 interceptions.