MLBPA Responds to Calls for Spring Training Postponement

Updated 3:29 PM EST

The Major League Baseball Players’ Association released a statement on Monday afternoon addressing the Arizona Cactus League’s concerns regarding the region’s alarming uptick in COVID-19 cases as of late.

Per the statement:

“Although we have not received any communication directly, the MLBPA is aware of a letter that has been distributed today by the Cactus League Association.”

“While we, of course, share the goals of a safe spring training and regular season, MLB has repeatedly assured us that it has instructed its teams to be prepared for an on-time start […] and we will continue to devote all our efforts to making sure that that takes place as safely as possible.” 

We’ll keep you updated as this story continues to develop.

Original Post

According to a letter obtained by Brahm Resnick of KPNX TV in Arizona, the Arizona Cactus League — who hosts a portion of Major League Baseball’s spring training in cities across the state each February and March — has formed a task force with the hopes of preparing accordingly for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Per a letter (dated January 22) addressed to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, “in view of the current state of the pandemic in Maricopa County — with one of the nation’s highest infection rates — we believe it is wise to delay the start of spring training to allow for the COVID-19 situation to improve here”.

The Cactus League confirmed that “all eight Cactus League cities” met with MLB representatives last week and also shared data (University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation) “which projects a sharp decline in infections in Arizona by mid-March”.

With pitchers and catchers set to report to their respective team training facilities in less than three weeks, this is clearly a fluid situation.

Jeff Passan of ESPN noted late Monday morning that “the Cactus League has no authority over spring training starting”, but also notes the delicate nature of the situation considering so many health-related unknowns and the impending start of training camp.

We’ll keep you posted with new information as it becomes available.

The post MLBPA Responds to Calls for Spring Training Postponement first appeared on Metsmerized Online.