MLB closes camps due to virus scare
Every team in Major League Baseball will shut its spring training camp over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, a move that came in the wake of the Phillies announcing Friday five players had tested positive for COVID-19.
The closures come while MLB owners and players try to negotiate a deal to begin the season, and raise the possibility the virus outbreak could scuttle all attempts at starting up this year.
A person familiar with the decision told AP the spring complexes in Florida and Arizona will temporarily close because of recent events. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because there wasn’t an official statement.
The facilities will undergo a deep cleaning and disinfecting. No one will be permitted back inside without a negative test for the virus.
Soon after the Phillies became the first known team to be affected by the outbreak, The Blue Jays shuttered their site in Dunedin, Fla., about five miles from the Phillies’ camp in Clearwater. The Blue Jays said one player showed symptoms consistent with the virus.
The Yankees and Mets would train in New York if MLB and its players try to start the coronavirus-delayed season.
■ Former Cubs All-Star SS Addison Russell, who was suspended for 40 games at the end of the 2018 season, signed a one-year, $530,000 contract with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization.
Auto racing: NASCAR returns to Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday as the Alabama track will admit up to 5,000 fans — with at least one NASCAR team facing a coronavirus scare. Stewart-Haas Racing confirmed two unidentified employees tested posted for COVID-19 .. ... Justin Haley took the lead on the final lap at Talladega — with help from Kaulig Racing teammate Ross Chastain — and held on for his first Xfinity Series victory.
Golf: Webb Simpson managed only one birdie on the back nine Saturday at Harbour Town, and that was just enough for him to post a 3-under 68 and join a four-way share of the lead at the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, S.C. Tyrrell Hatton of England had one of six rounds at 63 as he tries to win back-to-back starts for the second time in his career. Abraham Ancer rode his strong iron play to a 65, while Ryan Palmer had a 66 to join the lead at 15-under 198.
NBA: The NBA decided on Oct. 16 as the date for this year’s draft and saying clubs can begin talking to free agents two days later. The annual moratorium will begin at 12:01 a.m. EDT on Oct. 19 and continue through noon on Oct. 23, the league told teams on Saturday in a memo obtained by AP. As was the case last season, teams and free agents can begin negotiating six hours before the moratorium — so 6 p.m. EDT on Oct. 18. Game 7 of the NBA Finals could potentially be held Oct. 13.
NFL: Jim Kiick, the versatile running back who helped the Dolphins achieve the NFL’s only perfect season in 1972, has died. He was 73. The team announced the death Saturday. Kiick battled memory issues in recent years and lived in an assisted living home. The former University of Wyoming star was part of a formidable backfield that included Larry Csonka . ... Dr. Thom Mayer, the medical director of the NFL players’ union told members that the risk of being stricken by the new coronavirus is too great to be staging private workouts . ... The Redskins will retire the No. 49 jersey of Hall of Famer halfback Bobby Mitchell, who was the team’s first African American player.