Earlier today, the likes of Ken Rosenthal, Jeff Passan, and Joel Sherman (among others) reported that the MLB is going to be meeting to announce that the sport will be starting an indefinite suspension of all baseball-related activities and operations as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This action follows other major sports leagues such as the National Basketball Association (NBA), Nation Hockey League (NHL), and Major League Soccer (MLS), as well as many different collegiate and international sports leagues. To see more, check here.
This action on behalf of Major League Baseball includes the rest of Spring Training and will most likely cause the movement of Opening Day and cause changes in the regular season schedule.
As a reminder, follow the CDC protocol on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through practicing healthy personal behaviors for yourself and others.
Continue to check here for up-to-date tweets and news about this announcement.
Official Statement from Major League Baseball:
Statement from Major League Baseball: pic.twitter.com/0bWS5VTRPu — MLB (@MLB) March 12, 2020
Announcement expected shortly that MLB will be suspending operations. More details to come. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 12, 2020
As we wait…story is unlocked and free for all to read. https://t.co/tXe6ikaxeD — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 12, 2020
In an hour there is a conference call with Rob Manfred and the 30 owners. MLB will make an official announcement afterward. — Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 12, 2020
This is part of what has made MLB’s decision inevitable. Local govts were going to by rule keep crowds away from large events. Combine that with other leagues shutting down, particularly the NBA’s aggressive step Wed night, and MLB was headed toward having to suspend play. https://t.co/jInpO5btlV — Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 12, 2020
For anyone questioning MLB’s potentially suspending spring training, I’ll refer to David Price as he walked into the Dodgers’ facility about an hour ago: “It’s gotta happen. This is so much bigger than sports. I’ve got two kids.” That feeling is shared by many, many in the game. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 12, 2020
