Baseball fans, players, and employees are likely out of luck when it comes to the season beginning soon.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and representatives from the 30 major league clubs met, deciding to follow the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention. Last night, the CDC recommended restricting events of 50 or more people for the next eight weeks.
The 2020 MLB regular season was originally set to open on March 26 before being pushed back “at least” two weeks late last week by Commissioner Manfred.
Last week’s announcement still left a best-case scenario of an April 9 return for MLB players and staff. Today’s announcement of following the CDC’s eight-week restrictions would put MLB’s return around May 11. Of course, the CDC is recommending this eight-week restriction now and several variables could change this position in the coming weeks.
Major League Baseball’s statement did suggest that the 30 clubs “remain committed to playing as many games possible when the season begins.” Hopes are that they can still play close to a 162-game schedule or at least schedule comparable to the 1995 strike-shortening 145-game schedule.
Meanwhile, MLB clubs have been asked to pull scouts from the field and the majority of player personnel appear to be returning home until further notified.
The 1995 strike-shortened season began April 26 and ended Oct. 2, featuring a complete playoff schedule. Many options could include adding roster spots, adding double-headers, and extending regular schedule games deeper into October to allow for a more complete schedule when MLB returns to action. MLB draft, trade deadline, service time rules, and several other aspects of the MLB will likely require discussion in the coming weeks so stay tuned.
