Report: MLB Umpires to Be Paid Amid COVID-19 After Union Strikes Deal

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

MLB and the Major League Baseball Umpires Association reportedly reached an agreement Friday about how to handle the remainder of the 2020 season with play currently halted by the coronavirus pandemic.

ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers first reported the deal was finalized. Bob Nightengale of USA Today noted it includes a pay cut of around 30 percent.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic provided details from MLB's "final offer" Thursday, which included giving the umpires about 4.5 months worth of pay if the season is ultimately canceled in full.

Here's a look at some of the other details from the last proposal, per Rosenthal:

• Prorated salaries if the 2020 season is played with a 15 percent increase in a second spring training is required.
• Reduction of the postseason bonus from $38,500 to potentially below $25,000, though umpires who worked additional games would receive more bonus money.
• Reduced per diem from $500 to $400 based on expected lower rates at hotels.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred sent a letter to managers, coaches, scouts and other team employees last week stating there's still no firm timetable for a resumption of play, per ESPN's Jeff Passan.

"While I fully anticipate that baseball will resume this season, it is very difficult to predict with any accuracy the timeline for the resumption of our season," Manfred wrote.

MLB may have a plan in place about how to move forward by the end of May, according to Passan.

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The league has considered various options in order to play despite the COVID-19 restrictions.

CBS Sports' R.J. Anderson reported on option is a three-state plan that would see teams stationed in either Arizona, Florida or Texas, where they would play games without fans.

MLB halted spring training March 12. Opening Day was originally scheduled for March 26.