Shaprio said MLB would need at least a month of workouts and exhibitions prior to regular-season playGETTY IMAGES
Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro believes it will be "closer to months" rather than weeks before MLB returns to play, according to Ian Harrison of the AP. Shapiro during a conference call on Sunday said, "It certainly looks like we are not dealing with days and likely not weeks." He added that training camps "aren't likely to reopen for some time yet." When they do, Shaprio said that MLB "would need at least a month of workouts and exhibition games before regular season play can begin." Opening Day currently has been postponed "until at least mid-May" (AP, 3/22). ESPN's Mark Teixeira said, "If you start the season in June, you could play 100 games and you could have a normal season." He added, "You start getting in a lot of trouble when you start talking about playing games in November and December. The weather just won't allow that." However, Teixeira said he is "completely against" the idea of scheduled double-headers to make up for lost games. He said, "You don't want to make a bad situation worse. ... You're going to have a lot of injuries. You're going to have a lot of pitchers going down, overextended bullpens" ("Get Up," ESPN, 3/23).
REFUND UPDATES: In Chicago, Dan Santaromita reported the White Sox over the weekend sent season-ticket holders a letter to remind them that "no games have been canceled" and to hold onto their tickets "until an official policy is announced." Having a ticket stub "will ensure proof of purchase and the ability to receive a potential refund." The letter also stated that "all White Sox front office employees have been required to work from home" (NBCSPORTSCHICAGO.com, 3/22). Meanwhile, Twins President & CEO Dave St. Peter last week said that he hoped the team "within the next week or two ... would have more information for fans regarding ticketing." He said, "We have every intention of being very transparent with our policy and ultimately will try to provide fans with options that will range from credit, to moving into new games, to refunds" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 3/20).
POSTPONE LONDON SERIES: In St. Louis, Ben Frederickson wonders why the Cubs-Cardinals London Series set for June 13-14 is "still on, at least officially," when the league last week canceled both the Mexico and Puerto Rico series. Frederickson: "Kick the series to 2021, announce the games will be played at Busch Stadium as the Cardinals are the designated home team, and stop this silly waiting game" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 3/23).
