Major League Baseball announced Thursday, March 12 not only the suspension of Spring Training but the delay of Opening Day by at least two weeks due to the national emergency created by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
In concert with the MLB Players Association, MLB also announced that players can elect to return home, remain in their Spring Training cities, or return to their club’s home city. MLB added that this step would be in the best interests of players, employees, and the communities who host Spring Training.
“Whatever It Takes”
“This is on a national scale, not just a team scale,” Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters Friday. “We’ll do whatever it takes to try to secure the health and wellness of our players and their families.”
The Astros, according to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, “had a full staff and player team meeting on Friday, at which time all personnel were advised, per guidance from the Commissioner’s Office, to stay in Florida and avoid any unnecessary travel. Those instructions changed following the meeting between MLB and the MLBPA.”
Houston GM James Click reported Friday that no Astros players had been tested for coronavirus, nor had any shown symptoms that would warrant a test.
Thursday, March 12, the Astros issued an official statement; part of it reads as follows: “We will continue to work with MLB, the CDC, as well as local and government health authorities and update our plans accordingly.
“We thank our fans for their patience and support and we encourage everyone to continue to exercise preventative measures recommended by the CDC and local health officials. We will communicate additional information, including our ticket policy for impacted games, as details become available.”
Astros players and personnel are scattering to the four winds, and players currently still at West Palm, may, at various times, decide to return to Houston or their offseason homes.
Some Good News for the Injured
The postponement, for however long it ends up lasting, will allow more time for Justin Verlander’s lat strain to heal, as well as Yordan Alvarez’s left knee to recoup.
Right-hander Rogelio Armenteros, slated to open 2020 at Houston’s AAA Round Rock Express, underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery on his pitching elbow Friday to remove a bone spur. He will be out four months.
And, the Baby Astros?
Many younger players, especially those not assured of a 26-man roster spot, may be renting housing locally and their stays may be affected by leases previously signed for a longer period.
Regardless, Astros’ minor leaguers are leaving West Palm, according to The Athletic’s Jake Kaplan Saturday afternoon, and are headed home to “await clarity on when the minor league season will begin. Minor league camp had started only this past week.”
It’s being reported, though, in some quarters and on some teams, that “while MLB players can stay put during the coronavirus delay, and on the team’s dime, MiLB players won’t be paid, nor receive per diems, and are being told to go home and stay in shape on their own time and dollar.”
Minor League Baseball has announced they have delayed the start of the MiLB season indefinitely and will likely follow the lead of their big league counterparts moving forward.
Astros Going Viral
Third baseman Alex Bregman, apparently back in Houston already, has linked with the Houston Food Bank in “assembling quarantine food kits so our students and their families don’t need to worry about their next 28 meals.”
New catcher Dustin Garneau is using humor to cope with the suspension of Spring Training, tweeting, “Any beer league teams need a catcher for a couple of weeks?”
Pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr, hungry like the wolf, reminds everyone to “Stay safe out there. Wash them hands!!!!!! I miss baseball and hope it is back soon… BUT, In the meantime, we will be working hard every single day to be ready to roll when the time comes!! The goal stays the same! All love.”
Outfielder and wrestling aficionado Josh Reddick had his postponement outrage depicted by this emotive GIF:
— Josh Reddick (@RealJoshReddick) March 12, 2020
Finally, former Astros and current Boston Red Sox pitcher Collin McHugh (newly-signed free agent), adds his timely perspective: “Baseball has long been a source of collective joy in America, especially in times of distress. It’s a sad day when we must close the doors for a bit…but at this point, as public health is our priority, let’s all try to stay safe & find that collective joy in the small things.”