MLB suspends spring training, postpones regular season by at least two weeks

What was once just a thought in the back of our heads has now come to fruition. The MLB has officially suspended operations for the foreseeable future as the entire country continues to do what they can to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Spring Ttraining games will come to a halt and the start of the regular season will be delayed at least two weeks.

“MLB 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,” MLB said in a statement. “MLB 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.”

Since the league did not specify a date in which they would like to restart operations, we can conclude that the earliest date for opening day would be April 9th. As far as missed games and potential make-ups, the jury is still out on that, as well.

The last 24 hours have felt like an eternity. The MLB has made these decisions following the suspension of the NBA season after two players were found to be positive for the virus on Wednesday. The MLS and NHL have also followed suit with the suspension of their leagues and it’s only a matter of time before the entire NCAA basketball tournament is canceled, as well.

Late Wednesday night, California state public health officials also announced that gatherings of more than 250 people should be canceled or postponed for the rest of the month.