MLB teams pledge $30M to help cover lost wages for ballpark employees  —  All 30 Major League Baseball teams on Tuesday pledged $1 million each to help cover the lost wages of ballpark employees who have been affected by the coronavirus crisis' postponement of the big league season.

MLB, Clubs Plan To Address Minor League Pay Impacted By Coronavirus Halt  —  Update (11:45 am ET): The Dodgers have been added to the list of teams that are continuing to pay their minor leaguers the allowances and stipends they normally receive during spring training.

AP sources: MLB could skip draft; service time big issue  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball is considering skipping its amateur draft this year and putting off the next international signing period as a way to preserve cash while games are affected by the new coronavirus …

Recently Optioned Players Of Note  —  In case you haven't noticed, transactions aren't exactly plentiful since the league shut down Spring Training.  There have still been a few batches of moves in the past few days, however, with a trio of Central Division clubs sending some players to their minor league ranks.

Chris Sale begins a throwing program in Fort Myers  —  According to a major league source, Red Sox lefthander Chris Sale has commenced a throwing program in Fort Myers, Fla., after being shut down at the beginning of the month with a strained flexor tendon in his left forearm.This marks …

Connor Joe Undergoes Surgery For Testicular Cancer  —  Dodgers outfielder Connor Joe announced that he has undergone surgery after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.  MLBTR extends its best wishes to him for a swift and complete recovery.  —  Joe, now 27, spent a brief stretch in the big leagues last year with the Giants.

Mikolas thinks he'll be ready for Cardinals' opening day — whenever that is  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Spring training on Wednesday didn't extend any farther than the outfield grass on Field 1 here at the Cardinals' complex.  But there was baseball activity, of a sort.

MLB Cancels Planned Series In Mexico City And Puerto Rico  —  Major League Baseball formally announced today that the Diamondbacks/Padres series that had been planned to take place on April 18-19 in Mexico City and the Marlins/Mets series that was set for April 28-30 in San Juan, Puerto Rico have been canceled.

Joey Wentz Undergoes Tommy John Surgery  —  Tigers lefty Joey Wentz has undergone Tommy John surgery, according to a team announcement.  He's expected to be sidelined for 14 to 16 months, the team provides.  —  Wentz was the 40th overall pick of the 2016 draft.

‘No reservations’ about Villar in center field.  A look at what he brings to the Marlins  —  In Jonathan Villar, the Miami Marlins see a prototypical leadoff hitter.  They see a player who can steal a lot of bases and hit his share of home runs.  —  “He's a guy who does a little bit of everything …