Nowhere does MLB's 113-page protocol explicitly address how to handle an outbreakGETTY IMAGES
MLB is "encouraging players not to leave hotels in road cities except for games, mandating the use of surgical masks instead of cloth masks during travel and requiring every team to travel with a compliance officer who ensures players and staff properly follow the league's protocol," according to sources cited by Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. Sources said that the updated rules, outlined in a memo distributed to teams Tuesday, came as MLB "investigates the cause of the Marlins' outbreak that has seen 16 players and two staff members test positive for COVID-19." The league yesterday also "postponed Friday's scheduled" Blue Jays-Phillies game; the Phillies played the Marlins on Sunday. Nowhere does the 113-page protocol that governs the '20 season "explicitly address how the league would handle a coronavirus outbreak, let alone one the magnitude of the Marlins'." Sources said that the investigation is "looking into a wide range of factors, from the team's in-stadium behavior -- mask wearing, social distancing and other protocol-suggested factors -- to the off-field activities of players and staff." Some elements of the protocol are "unlikely to change, including testing." Currently, on-field personnel, including players, are "tested every other day via a saliva sample." Meanwhile, larger changes in MLB's protocol "could be near." With games already postponed, sources said that there is precedent for "pausing play at the first sign of an outbreak" (ESPN.com, 7/29).
ANOTHER RULES CHANGE? The Athletic's Britt Ghiroli cited sources as saying that the MLBPA is "asking players to consider rules adjustments to maximize their health." On doubleheaders, under "consideration is a 9-inning & 7-inning game or two 7-inning games" (TWITTER.com, 7/29). ESPN.com cited a source as saying that MLB is "checking opinions among owners and general managers" on potential 7-inning doubleheaders, and league staff "hope for a decision by Saturday." MLB "already has adopted one shortening rule for 2020: Each half of each extra inning starts with a runner on second base" (ESPN.com, 7/29). ESPN’s Buster Olney on shortening doubleheaders: “In 2020, they’re making up the rules as they’re going along. If this helps, then sure, go ahead” (“Get Up,” ESPN, 7/30).
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER: In DC, Dave Sheinin writes the biggest issue for MLB going forward "might best be defined not as a Marlins problem but a Miami one." The Nationals' "team-wide, near-unanimous vote Monday against flying to Miami for a series against the Marlins this weekend revealed a new vulnerability for MLB." And while a "confrontation was avoided" when MLB postponed that series, it "left open the question of what would happen if a team refused to fly into a coronavirus hotbed." The Orioles, who were scheduled to begin a series against the Marlins on Monday, had "similar discussions about the wisdom of playing in Miami over the course of those two days but never put it to a vote" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/30).
PROCEED WITH CAUTION: In N.Y., Tyler Kepner writes with "no new positives among players on any other team" yet, MLB "still has a realistic path forward to completing the season." Baseball is, "after all, a business, one of many that is trying to cope with this crisis." MLB "has the resources to try." But if baseball "causes the virus to spread further, the league must know when to stop." Kepner: "Let's hope it does not come to that" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/30).
