MLB teams to close spring training

Every team in Major League Baseball will close their late summer/ spring training led to worries about the coronavirus pandemic, a move that followed the Philadelphia Philly declaring Friday that five players had been tested positive for COVID-19.

Shutdowns come as MLB players and owners try to strike a deal to open the season and explore the risk that a virus outbreak could scuttle any effort to establish this year.

A source acquainted with the announcement told The Associated Press that the spring complexes in Florida and Arizona would be briefly suspended owing to recent incidents. The individual talked on the condition of anonymity as there was no official comment.

The facilities will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. No one will be allowed back inside without a negative virus test.

Soon after the Philly became the first known team to be impacted by the epidemic, Toronto shut down its site in Dunedin, Florida, about five miles from Philadelphia’s Clearwater camp. Blue Jays reported only one person had signs associated with the infection.

The San Francisco Giants warehouse in Scottsdale, Arizona, was closed down after one person who’ve been to the location and one family member had been showing signs on Thursday. Texas shut down its camp about 30 miles away in Surprise, and said that no one had tested positive but hope to increase the test protocols.

The Houston Astros also said that a player working at their spring camp in West Palm Beach , Florida, had been tested positive a few days ago and was recovering. The Astros said they had “implemented all health and safety protocols,” but they won’t mention the camp was closed.

Trapped in a nasty dispute over money, the proprietors and the union had hoped that players would start testing Tuesday, and then run a new round of spring training by next week. Most team members had expected holding the exercises in their home ballparks, instead of in their spring camps in Florida and Arizona.

Earlier this week, Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem wrote in a letter to player union chief negotiator Bruce Meyer that “the spread of COVID-19 outbreaks across the country over the last week, and the fact that we already know of several 40-man roster players and staff who have tested positive, has increased the risks associated with starting spring training over the next few weeks.”

As to the effect of the epidemic on the season, the Philly said, “It’s too early to know.”

The Philadelphia reported that three camp staff members had also found positive. The department could not name either of those impacted.

Florida has experienced an increasing incidence of new cases and positive test rates for COVID-19. Over the past two weeks, the average number of daily new cases in Florida has increased by 1,422.7, or 144.4 per cent.

Arizona seems to have had a rapid increase in cases, setting a new record for new daily cases.

The Philly said the first known case occurred on Tuesday. The club said that eight staff members tested negative for the virus, whilst also 12 staff members and 20 players — both major leaguers and minor leaguers — were tested in the Clearwater area.

The Philly shut down their facility in March because the coronavirus epidemic shut down sports. Players having returned from injuries were permitted to continue their rehabilitation after the warehouse was cleaned properly. Some of the team’s physical therapists and staff remained under supervision and safety precautions were taken.

Several more players have started working at the facility over the last few weeks, but the size of the group has been limited.

In a statement, managing partner John Middleton said, “Phillies are committed to the health and well-being of our players, coaches and staff as our top priority.”

“As a result of these confirmed tests, all facilities in Clearwater have been closed indefinitely to all players, coaches and staff and will remain closed until the medical authorities are confident that the virus is under control and that our facilities are disinfected,” he said.

The Washington Nationals World Series Champion, who did not open up the spring camp they shared with Houston after shutting down their portion in mid-March, said they had a positive test for a minor league player in the Dominican Republic. The team said the player wasn’t at their treatment center.