There is a widespread fear sweeping across baseball that the coronavirus will force cancellations in baseball. With the Dodgers’ Opening Day in question already, the league may also look to suspend all Spring Training games in order to get ahead of the virus.
There is a feeling of inevitability among executives that Major League Baseball will be suspending spring training as soon as today, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 12, 2020
The reaction may seem sudden, and that’s because it is. The sports world was sent into a frenzy last night when Rudy Gobert of the NBA’s Utah Jazz tested positive for fir the COVID-19 virus, and his teammate Donovan Mitchell tested positive this morning. As a result, leagues began canceling games and tournaments all around sports. The Dodgers do not look to be immune to that.
If the Dodgers are not able to continue with Spring Training, I would imagine players and staff would all be sent home. If there is a delay until Opening Day, that makes a strange situation, as players will need time to ramp back up to game-mode.
Spring Training is generally a time for players to get ready for the season, and not having it would be very strange indeed. Waiting on the league’s official announcement, expected soon. Teams around baseball have a scheduled call with Commissioner Rob Manfred today.
Announcement expected shortly that MLB will be suspending operations. More details to come.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 12, 2020
**UPDATE: Spring Training is officially expected to be called off today.
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