MLB Spring Training

FILE - In this Tuesday, April 28, 2020, file photo, a darkened Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks of baseball's National League, sits empty. Major League Baseball owners gave the go-ahead Monday, May 11, 2020, to making a proposal to the players' union that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July weekend in ballparks without fans, a plan that envisions expanding the designated hitter to the National League for 2020. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

D-backs cut about quarter of staff with layoffs, furloughs

May. 29, 2020 7:30 PM EDT

The Arizona Diamondbacks have laid off or furloughed about one-quarter of the team’s employees because of lost revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. The organization made the moves on Friday. Remaining staff will take pay cuts that average less than 15%, with the team's highest earners losing a bigger...

FILE - In this March 11, 2020 file photo workers clean seats inside the newly constructed Globe Life Field in Arlington Texas. The Texas Rangers would prefer to stay home in their new ballpark whenever it is time to get back to spring training. They still haven’t played a game, or even had an organized workout, in their $1.2 billion stadium with a retractable roof. General manager Jon Daniels says, Tuesday , May 19, 2020, there would be a lot of advantages to workouts in Texas instead of returning to their camp Arizona. Spring training has been on hold more than two months ago because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Rangers prefer new home over Arizona for 2nd spring training

May. 19, 2020 8:41 PM EDT

The Texas Rangers would prefer to stay home in their new ballpark instead of returning to Arizona whenever it is time to get back to spring training. They still haven't played a game, or even had an organized workout, in their $1.2 billion stadium with a retractable roof. Spring training has been on hold more...

AP source: Marlins will allow players access for workouts

May. 18, 2020 2:01 PM EDT

MIAMI (AP) — The Miami Marlins will allow players on their 40-man roster access to their spring training complex to pitch off a mound or hit in batting cages beginning Tuesday, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person confirmed the decision to the AP on condition of...

In this March 8, 2020, photo, Oklahoma City Thunder's Chris Paul plays against the Boston Celtics during an NBA basketball game in Boston. Making it safe for America's professional sports teams to start playing games is one thing. Making sure athletes are in game shape is another. Experts say nothing should be rushed. Athletes in the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball all indicate that a few weeks of training is necessary before any games. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

If games resume, athletes will 'need to know when to peak'

May. 11, 2020 12:22 PM EDT

Making it safe for America’s professional sports teams to start playing games is one thing. Making sure athletes are in game shape is another. The coronavirus pandemic brought sports to a halt, but stay-at-home orders are starting to be eased and a handful of NBA teams are opening practice facilities. For...

This June 5, 2019 photo shows home plate umpire Paul Emmel and umpire Mike Estabrook reviewing a play during a baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and the Tampa Bay Rays in Detroit. Major League Baseball and its umpires have reached a deal to cover a 2020 pay structure during the coronavirus pandemic, including a 50% cut in May and nothing more this year if no games are played. The sides struck an agreement late Thursday, April 30, 2020 two people told The Associated Press. As part of the deal, MLB has the right not to use instant replays of umpires' decisions during the 2020 season. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

AP sources: MLB replay could vanish, monastery setup viable

May. 1, 2020 10:32 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Replay reviews could vanish in Major League Baseball in 2020 as part of a deal with umpires that contemplates a possible “monastery setup” in which off-the-field movement is restricted because of the coronavirus pandemic. The agreement, struck late Thursday night, covers how...

Traffic is extremely light in front of Chase Field, Thursday, March 26, 2020, in Phoenix. The Arizona Diamondbacks would have hosted the Atlanta Braves in their season-opening baseball game Thursday, but the start of the MLB regular season is indefinitely on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

AP sources: MLB, union discuss playing all games in Arizona

Apr. 7, 2020 10:49 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Putting all 30 teams in the Phoenix area this season and playing in empty ballparks was among the ideas discussed Monday by Major League Baseball and the players’ association. The sides held a telephone call to talk about paths forward for a season delayed by the coronavirus...