Major League Baseball to delay Opening Day at least 2 weeks over COVID-19 concerns
A fan holds a baseball while waiting for an autograph fro New York Yankees infielder Chris Gittens prior to a spring training baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Thursday, March 12, 2020, in West Palm Beach, Fla.[AP Photo/Julio Cortez]
Major League Baseball and the Minnesota Twins joined the list of professional sports organizations announcing changes due to COVID-19 concerns Thursday.
MLB announced 2020 Opening Day will be delayed by "at least" two weeks. The league had previously announced it was canceling Spring Training games and 2020 World Baseball Classic Qualifier games.
"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 Commissioner Robert Manfred said.
NHL follows NBA, announces suspension of season
MLB said it will continue to evaluate events leading up to the start of the season and relaying further information when plans have been made. As of now, the league and its teams are working on a variety of contingency plans regarding the season and how the schedule will be affected.
For information relating to Minnesota Twins spring training, click here.
Several other sports organizations and leagues, including the NBA, MLS, NHL, NCAA, XFL and NASCAR announced changes to their schedules in the past 24 hours to varying degrees due to COVID-19 concerns.
You can track more disruptions due to COVID-19 here.