MLB Sends Memo Restricting Team's Access To Training Facilities

MLB today sent a memo to teams "restricting access to their facilities and limiting voluntary workouts before the start of spring training." While several teams "planned to open their spring-training facilities this week to their players and staff for voluntary workouts, MLB sent the memo to every team’s front office with strict regulations, threatening harsh disciplinary measures to any team violating the procedures." MLB informed clubs that "only three categories of players may access their facilities before the start of spring training." Those include:

• Players who have a "permanent residence proximate to their facilities."
• Players who "require entry to the facility to receive medical care."
• Players who have been "approved to attend a club-organized mini-camp under the terms of the Basic Agreement" (USA TODAY, 1/5).