Following a call with the 30 clubs, and after consultation with the Major League Baseball Players Association, Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced on Thursday that Major League Baseball has decided to suspend Spring Training games and to delay the start of the 2020 regular season by at least two weeks due to the national emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic.
Minor League Baseball has also announced they will delay the start of their season, it was set to being on April 9. No timetable has been given.
This action is being taken in the interests of the safety and well-being of our players, clubs and our millions of loyal fans.
Major League Baseball will continue to evaluate ongoing events leading up to the start of the season. Guidance related to daily operations and workouts will be relayed to Clubs in the coming days. As of 4:00 p.m. ET today, forthcoming Spring Training games have been cancelled, and 2020 World Baseball Classic Qualifier games in Tucson, Arizona have been postponed indefinitely.
Major League Baseball and the Clubs have been preparing a variety of contingency plans regarding the 2020 regular season schedule. MLB will announce the effects on the schedule at an appropriate time and will remain flexible as events warrant, with the hope of resuming normal operations as soon as possible.
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our players, employees and fans. MLB will continue to undertake the precautions and best practices recommended by public health experts. We send our best wishes to all individuals and communities that have been impacted by coronavirus.
MLB joins the NBA, NHL, and MLS as leagues to suspend their seasons as a result of the pandemic.
The Mets announced on Thursday that Donovan Mitchell Sr. will be tested for the coronavirus after his son Donovan Mitchell Jr., tested positive. Donovan Sr. is the Mets Director of Player Relation and Community Engagement, while his son plays in the NBA for the Utah Jazz.
