COVID restrictions affect Yanks, Mets
NYC: Private employer vax rule applies to outdoor venues
The cardboard cutouts are long gone. Same with all that phony, pumped-in stadium noise. For players, there’s no more face masks in dugouts or clubhouses. Far less spitting into testing cups, too.
Yet, amid COVID-19 restrictions in Canada and New York, one thing has become clear over the last week while baseball speeds toward the 2022 season:
“Life is not back to normal yet,” Yankees reliever Zack Britton said Wednesday.
Fans of the Yankees and Mets were shaken Tuesday by confirmation from New York City that the same private employer vaccine mandate that has sidelined NBA star Kyrie Irving for Nets’ home games would also apply at the outdoor baseball parks in the Bronx and Queens.
That concern ratcheted to another level after Yankees star Aaron Judge took a hard side-step when asked Tuesday if he was vaccinated.
The Mets also could be seriously affected. Last year, they were among six teams that didn’t reach the 85% vaccination rate among on-field staff, including players, necessary for relaxed virus protocols under MLB’s health and safety plan.
Yankees chairman Hal Steinbrenner said Wednesday that team president Randy Levine is speaking with the city about finding a solution before opening day April 7.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference Wednesday that athletes weren’t his top concern but added that he would work with MLB.
“We’re going to do an analysis. Baseball season is not tomorrow. It’s not next week. We are going to work this out. We will ensure the safety of New Yorkers without continuing the spread of COVID,” he said, adding “but I’m not going to be rushed in based on a season schedule.”
Britton, a member of the players’ association’s executive subcommittee, said Wednesday that the union was in communication with government officials and had anticipated there might be complications.
“We knew just because the Irving stuff was going on,” Britton told The AP. “I think the indoor-outdoor venue was maybe like a little bit of a question mark on that.”
The union and league agreed as part of a new labor contract settled last week that unvaccinated players won’t receive pay or service time if they miss games in Toronto against the Blue Jays due to Canada’s vaccine requirement for entry.
Under updated health and safety protocols announced Wednesday, intake COVID19 testing remains, but after that, players will only be tested when showing signs or reporting symptoms. Players and team personnel only have to wear masks in clubhouses and other indoor areas if mandated by local regulations.
The league is also maintaining an ability to move games if the public health situation in an area deteriorates and will “postpone games only if necessary to protect the health and safety of club personnel, players and umpires.” The COVID-19 injured list remains, but players with a positive test can exit with two negative tests.
Rockies add Bryant: The Rockies and third baseman Kris Bryant agreed to a seven-year, $182 million contract, ESPN reported.
Bryant, 30, a former NL rookie of the year and MVP while with the Cubs, hit .265 with 25 homers and 73 RBIs with the Cubs and Giants last season.
Extra innings: The Blue Jays acquired threetime Gold Glove 3B Matt Chapman from from the A’s. Chapman, 28, hit .201 with 27 HRs and 72 RBIs last season . ... The Phillies and DH/OF Kyle Schwarber agreed to a four-year deal worth $80 million, The AP reported. Schwarber, 29, hit .266 with 32 HRs and 71 RBIs with the Nationals and Red Sox last season . ... The Cubs and star Japanese OF Seiya Suzuki agreed to a five-year, $85-million deal, according to reports. Suzuki, 27, was a five-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner over nine seasons with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan’s Central League . ... The Royals and former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke agreed to a one-year, $13 million deal, according to reports. Greinke, 38, spent the last three seasons with the Astros.