Top News:
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
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 …
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
MLB and its players dive into the many details of what-if scenarios — The first question, the biggest question, is whether the 2020 major-league season will even take place. — Major League Baseball and the Players Association can figure out the adjustments necessary for a shortened season …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Sportsnet.ca and Bleacher Nation
Joe Kay / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Reds' employee in Arizona tests positive for coronavirus
Discussion:
Red Reporter, Cincinnati Reds on Yahoo! … and Sports Illustrated
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
MLB teams pledge $30M to help cover lost wages for ballpark employees
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Purple Row, DRaysBay, MLB Baseball News …, Bleacher Nation, Denver Post and NBCSports.com
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Opening of regular season to be pushed back
Discussion:
Mariners News, Phillies News, Bleacher Nation, Rangers News, Federal Baseball, Pinstripe Alley and D-backs News
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
As MLB formalizes a stimulus package for minor-league players, Cardinals make some roster trims — ST. LOUIS — When baseball halted spring training and delayed the start of the regular season a week ago, the Cardinals were in the process making cuts from their spring training roster.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Viva El Birdos
RELATED:
Kyle Glaser / Baseball America:
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.
Scott Lauber / The Philadelphia Inquirer:
J.T. Realmuto's contract talks on hold as Phillies order exodus from spring training facility
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, The Good Phight, MLB Baseball News … and MLB Trade Rumors
Josh Norris / Baseball America:
COVID-19 Outbreak Hits Hard In The Minor Leagues
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Manfred: Season won't start April 9; players urged to find a home where they can be for ‘extended period of time’
Discussion:
Cincinnati.com, FanGraphs Baseball and Sports Illustrated
Chuck Schilken / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
A second Yankees minor league player reportedly tests positive for coronavirus
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
The Boston Globe:
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 …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, NBCSports.com, MLB Daily Dish, Over the Monster, Lone Star Ball and MLB Baseball News …
RELATED:
ESPN:
Red Sox's Chris Sale to undergo Tommy John surgery — Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale will undergo Tommy John surgery, Chaim Bloom, the team's chief baseball officer, announced Thursday. — The surgery will keep Sale from pitching this season, the start of which has been delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Joey Wentz Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and Bless You Boys
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
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.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
RELATED:
ESPN:
MLB calls off Padres-Diamondbacks in Mexico City, Mets-Marlins in San Juan — MLB, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Mets, Miami Marlins — Major League Baseball has canceled series scheduled for this season in Mexico City and San Juan, Puerto Rico, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and Viva El Birdos
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
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.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and True Blue LA
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
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.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Jordan McPherson / Miami Herald:
‘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 …
Discussion:
MLB.com and MLB Trade Rumors
