Major League Baseball is expected to suspend the remainder of spring training in response to the coronavirus, according to MLB insider Jeff Passan.
Passan reported a conference call with Major League Baseball owners is scheduled for today.
The expected shut down of baseball operations comes after several other leagues have suspended seasons until further notice or postponed tournaments including the NBA, NHL, NCAA and the MLS.
The expected response comes after the NBA announced on Wednesday, they would be suspending the season until further notice after two players on the Utah Jazz have tested positive for the coronavirus.
As we await a response from MLB, it is presumed the official start of the baseball season will be postponed until further noticed as COVID-19 continues to spread across the country.
The Seattle Mariners have already been affected by the +250 crowd restrictions placed on King county in Seattle due to the outbreak, which is where the Mariners reside. The team was scheduled to open their 2020 season with a seven-game stretch of home games.
The Mariners were set to play a four-game series against the Texas Rangers, followed by a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins.
The Mariners announced they would presumably play those games in Arizona; however, the news comes before any announcements from MLB and other professional sports organizations suspended their seasons.
Players have begun to voice their concerns as the news of athletic events being cancelled, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price said, “It’s gotta happen. This is so much bigger than sports. I’ve got two kids.”
We will continue to provide updates as we await announcements from MLB
