MLB, union weighing variables for potential restart of season  —  As Major League Baseball handles the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic and tries to determine when — or even if — it will begin its season, the league is grappling with a number of key issues that could come to a head …

Sources: MLB draft likely to be in July, may be shortened  —  The Major League Baseball draft is increasingly likely to happen in July, though it could be shortened and include bonus deferrals, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN.  —  Fear of handing out significant signing bonuses …

Rob Manfred says ‘nothing off table’ regarding MLB's return  —  Vowing that “baseball will be back” and “will be part of the recovery,” Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said in an interview Wednesday with ESPN'S Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter that “nothing's off the table” …

Join Opening Day at Home with 30 classic games  —  You can still celebrate Opening Day this year — with fans around the globe.  —  On Thursday, Major League Baseball will present “Opening Day at Home” — a full slate of 30 games broadcast nationally across various platforms …

White Sox Option Michael Kopech  —  The White Sox have optioned right-hander Michael Kopech to Triple-A Charlotte, the team announced.  Whenever the season gets underway, he'll open on the minor league side of things.  —  That's long seemed like a formality.

Coronavirus Protective Masks to Be Made From M.L.B. Uniform Material  —  The deal will send masks to health professionals in the Northeast with the distinctive pinstripes of the Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies.  —  Had the baseball season not been postponed because of the coronavirus …

2020 Season Simulation  —  Welcome to the Strat-O-Matic 2020 Season Simulation.  —  Come back every day at 2 pm ET / 11 am PT to see updated results from our simulation.  —  Defending Champion Nationals Among Opening Day Winners In Strat-O-Matic 2020 Season Simulation

Former Braves owner Bill Bartholomay, who moved team to Atlanta, dies  —  Former Braves owner Bill Bartholomay, who brought the team and major-league sports to Atlanta in 1966, died Wednesday night at age 91.  —  Bartholomay “died very peacefully” at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, his daughter Jamie Bartholomay Niemie said.

Jimmy Wynn Passes Away  —  Astros legend Jimmy Wynn passed away today at age 78, the team announced.  The Astros' official statement: … Wynn hit .250/.366/.436 with 291 homers, 225 steals, and 1105 runs scored over his 8011 career Major League plate appearances, with the first 11 of his 15 seasons coming in Houston.

Today-would-have-been-Opening Day MLB Power Rankings  —  Well, there are no flyovers, no cracks of the bat, no peanuts or Cracker Jack.  But that doesn't mean there can't be Power Rankings.  —  On what would have been Opening Day, we compile the votes of ESPN's baseball reporters …

Johnny Bench offers message to baseball fans on what would be Opening Day for Reds, MLB  —  National Baseball Hall of Famer and former Cincinnati Reds great Johnny Bench wanted baseball on Opening Day just like everyone else.  —  But he shared a message via Twitter with fellow baseball fans …