Spring Training has officially ended for the Atlanta Braves and the rest of Major League Baseball.
MLB announced on Thursday that it will suspend Spring Training and will delay the start of the 2020 regular season at least two-weeks over concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
All of this comes in the wake of other professional and college sports suspending the regular season and post-season events.
MLB released the statement on its website, MLB.com, which came after Commissioner Robert Manfred following a call with the 30 Clubs, and after consultation with the Major League Baseball Players Association.
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 will continue to evaluate ongoing events leading up to the start of the season. Guidance related to daily operations and workouts will be relayed to Clubs in the coming days. As of 4 p.m. ET today, forthcoming Spring Training games have been canceled, and 2020 World Baseball Classic Qualifier games in Tucson, Arizona have been postponed indefinitely.
MLB and the Clubs have been preparing a variety of contingency plans regarding the 2020 regular-season schedule. 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.
Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our players, employees and fans. MLB will continue to undertake the precautions and best practices recommended by public health experts. We send our best wishes to all individuals and communities that have been impacted by coronavirus.
