Major League Baseball is set to return. The MLB Players Association (MLBPA) informed the league on Tuesday that players will comply with commissioner Rob Manfred’s imposed outline for a 2020 season. Players are set report for another version of “spring” training on July 1, and the league’s imposed 60-game season will start either July 23 or 24, the league announced.
The two sides also finalized COVID-19 health and safety protocols on Tuesday night. “The health and safety of players and employees will remain MLB’s foremost priorities in its return to play,” The league said in a statement, “MLB is working with a variety of public health experts, infectious disease specialists and technology providers on a comprehensive approach that aims to facilitate a safe return. “
The proposed 60-game schedule will largely feature divisional play, with the remaining portion of each Club’s games against their opposite league’s corresponding geographical division (i.e., East vs. East, Central vs. Central and West vs. West), in order to mitigate travel.
“Major League Baseball is thrilled to announce that the 2020 season is on the horizon.” Commissioner Manfred said, “We have provided the Players Association with a schedule to play 60 games and are excited to provide our great fans with Baseball again soon.”