MLB Players Sent Home from Spring Training Camps Because of Coronavirus Concerns

Major League Baseball decided to send players home from spring training camps Friday after an agreement between MLB and the MLB Players Association. 

According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, it is possible some players could opt to stay, but no formal workouts will be held amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.

MLB announced Thursday that it was suspending all spring training games and pushing back the start of the 2020 regular season by at least two weeks. Opening Day had been scheduled for March 26.

Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia added that while players are being "encouraged" to go home, they are not being "ordered" to do so by MLB.

ESPN's Jeff Passan also reported on the matter:

MLB is among the many leagues that have suspended operations and postponed or canceled events. The NBA and NHL have suspended their current seasons, while the NCAA canceled all remaining winter and spring championships, including the men's and women's basketball tournaments.

According to the World Health Organization, over 132,000 people have contracted COVID-19 worldwide, including more than 1,200 U.S. cases, and nearly 5,000 have died globally.

It remains unclear when MLB operations will resume and whether the regular season will be shortened as a result, but MLB released the following statement on the matter Thursday: "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."

Following in MLB's footsteps, Minor League Baseball also delayed the start of its season, which had been set to begin April 9. 

If Major League Baseball does shorten the 2020 season, it will mark the first time since 1960 that every MLB team plays fewer than 162 games.