Nightengale: MLB could be halted for several months

Four days after the MLB shut down operations due to Corona Virus prevention, there is now a clearer picture about the eventual return of baseball; and it is not a pretty one.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale said on Twitter, Monday, that Commissioner Rob Manfred had a conference call advising all teams to shut down their facilities. So far, it had been up to each team to decide how they would handle their facilities, and it was up to the players' discretion where they wanted to stay.

The conference call also brought the news that the MLB had decided that the season will not start April 9, but the league still does not have a timetable.

The players have been told there is no freeze yet on roster moves, but that could soon change as the league stands pat waiting for the go-ahead to return to action. Players were also told that they could return home and receive $1,100 per week living allowance until April 9 for players on 40-man rosters and non-roster invites who finished last season on 40-man roster, Nightengale reported.

The MLBPA is also trying to protect their players who have opt-out clauses during the shutdown, by trying to extend it until after camps resume for the second Spring Training.

Commissioner Manfred also announced that opening day would be pushed until at least Mid-May. The league is still committed to playing an 162 season if they can return sooner than later.

There are still a lot of decisions ahead for the MLB as they try to navigate the unfamiliar terrain of a pandemic shutdown. The concern for the league has quickly shifted from returning to play, to making sure that its players and fans stay healthy.

Source: USA Today

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