© Matt Kartozian | 2020 Mar 5
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Giants had a scheduled day off Thursday, their first since the Cactus League began. Their next scheduled day to play, though, is now in question.
MLB is suspending operations and spring training games, according to various reports, in response to global concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. Beginning Friday, according to the New York Post, games will be halted, following the lead of leagues such as the NBA, which put itself on indefinite hiatus following Utah’s Rudy Gobert being diagnosed with COVID-19, the infectious disease pandemic that is especially dangerous to the elderly. MLB is expected to make a statement later Thursday about how it will proceed.
Various cities, including San Francisco, have begun banning large gatherings, which include crowds at sports games. The Giants had not been affected until Wednesday, when they had to cancel their March 24 scrimmage with the A’s at Oracle Park. They had 10 Cactus League games left before two exhibitions with Oakland and a scrimmage with the River Cats, all now in question.
The season is scheduled to start March 26 in Los Angeles, Johnny Cueto named the Opening Day starter. While empty stadiums are a possibility, it would be surprising if the league starts in any capacity on time.
UPDATE: MLB will suspend Spring Training games and delay the start of the season by at least two weeks. The following comes from the league:
Following a call with the 30 Clubs, and after consultation with the Major League Baseball Players Association, Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. today announced that MLB has decided to suspend Spring Training games and to delay the start of the 2020 regular season by at least two weeks due to the national emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic. This action is being taken in the interests of the safety and well-being of our players, Clubs and our millions of loyal fans.
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. As of 4:00 p.m. (ET) today, forthcoming Spring Training games have been cancelled, and 2020 World Baseball Classic Qualifier games in Tucson, Arizona have been postponed indefinitely.
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.
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our players, employees and fans. MLB will continue to undertake the precautions and best practices recommended by public health experts. We send our best wishes to all individuals and communities that have been impacted by coronavirus.