GLENDALE, Ariz. — Major League Baseball is expected to suspend baseball operations, according to multiple reports, including ESPN. An announcement is expected later Thursday.
With two weeks remaining in spring training ahead of Opening Day March 26, the league is also expected to delay the season opener.
Baseball owners were holding a conference call Thursday afternoon, with an announcement detailing a plan expected afterward.
The White Sox have a scheduled off day Thursday, and their spring training complex is closed. There was no immediate comment from the team, but they are expected to have a normal day Friday, which could be the last official day of camp until spring training resumes. That is not expected for weeks.
In the meanwhile, camps could remain open for players to work out.
The Cubs and Dodgers’ scheduled game in Mesa Thursday was rained out.
“At some point somebody [in baseball] will get coronavirus, I think,” Cubs pitcher Yu Darvish said Wednesday. “And if somebody would get it then MLB will so the same thing as NBA.”
MLB is not waiting for that happen. The NBA, NHL and MLS already suspended their professional sports leagues due to the coronavirus crises.
Contributing: Doug Padilla
