COVID RESTRICTIONS ARE LOOSENED

All fully vaccinated players and staff can stop wearing masks in dugouts, bullpens and clubhouses under the latest change to Major League Baseball’s coronavirus protocols.

In addition, fully vaccinated players and staff may eat in restaurants without restrictions and attend sporting events as spectators at venues with government approved safety protocols, the commissioner’s office and players’ association said in a memo sent Wednesday night.

Kinexon electronic tracing devices and monitor testing are being eliminated, and compliance officers no longer have to accompany teams on trips.

Social distancing and mask requirements have been eliminated for team buses involving fully vaccinated players and staff, and players and staff can resume arriving at clubhouses more than five hours before game time.

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated players and staff still must wear masks but it will not be considered a violation to remove or pull down the mask to briefly eat or drink, before entering or leaving a shower or at the direction of the medical or training staff.

Clubhouse social distancing was eliminated for all teams reaching 85 percent vaccination among tier 1 individuals such as players, managers, coaches and training staff. As of last Friday, 22 of the 30 teams had reached 85 percent among tier 1 individuals.

Restrictions on team individuals dining together also were eliminated, with the exception that non-vaccinated individuals must still wear masks when not eating or drinking.

Fully vaccinated players and staff also can resume commercial travel without PCR intake testing when they rejoin the team, unless they show COVID-19 symptoms or are known to have been exposed. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated family may stay with fully vaccinated players and staff on the road, and players and staff can use hotel pools and fitness centers, with provisions that masks are required in fitness centers if they are open to the public and that physical distancing is required in pools.

DeGrom seemingly OK

The Mets relaxed after a night of worry: a scan of ace

Jacob deGrom’s shoulder showed no abnormalities.

DeGrom left his second straight start with an arm injury, coming out after three perfect innings against the Cubs on Wednesday night with right shoulder soreness. He had an MRI on Thursday at the Hospital for Special Surgery that was reviewed by Dr. David Altchek, Mets medical director, and Dr.

Neal ElAttrache, the Dodgers head team physician.

“We had an MRI taken on him and ran it through two doctors just to have a second opinion, as well, and both doctors had the same prognosis from the imaging. So it just shows as a normal shoulder that a pitcher would have and there’s no concern,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said.

Notable

Astros 3B Alex Bregman was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a strained left quadriceps.

Bregman was injured in the first inning of a win against Texas on Wednesday night while running to first base when he grounded into a double play. He pulled up a few steps before first base and hobbled off the field after the play before heading to the clubhouse.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said there isn’t currently a timetable for his return.

• 1B Mike Ford was traded by the Yankees to the Rays for $100,000 and a player to be named. Ford was designated for assignment Saturday when reliever Zack Britton was activated from the injured list.

• The Cardinals signed LHP Wade LeBlanc to a oneyear contract that pays $800,000 while in the major leagues and $150,000 while in the minors.

• Indians C Austin Hedges was placed on the 7day concussion injured list. He was hit in the helmet by a pitch Friday and took a foul tip off his mask Tuesday.

•The Rangers acquired RHP Dennis Santana from the Dodgers in a trade, sending minor league lefty Bautista to Los Angeles.