31 MLB players positive for coronavirus after first round of tests  —  Thirty-one players were positive for COVID-19 in Major League Baseball's first round of coronavirus testing, the league and players' union announced Friday.  —  Seven staff members also tested positive.

After blowback, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred clarifies comments on 60-game season  —  While the Twitterverse thought MLB commissioner Rob Manfred accidentally confessed Wednesday on the Dan Patrick Show that it was always MLB's intention to play a 60-game season, Manfred clarified Thursday what he meant.

With pregnant wife, Angels star Mike Trout unsure if he'll play in 2020: ‘Playing it by ear’  —  Mike Trout, the Los Angeles Angels' three-time MVP and widely regarded as baseball's greatest player, is wary about starting the 2020 season with his wife expecting their first baby in August.

MLB cancels All-Star Game for first time since 1945  —  By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodger Stadium's 40-year wait to host the All-Star Game is going to last even longer.  —  The game scheduled for July 14 was canceled Friday because of the coronavirus pandemic …

Welington Castillo Opts Out Of 2020 Season  —  Veteran catcher Welington Castillo has opted out of the 2020 season, Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters Friday (Twitter link via the Washington Post's Jesse Dougherty).  Castillo inked a minor league contract with the Nationals …

Prohibition baseball: Inside the biggest All-Star Game no one watched  —  Luke Jackson had nowhere to throw when baseball shut down.  So, the Atlanta Braves right-hander got desperate, watched some YouTube videos, and built a makeshift mound.  He was throwing alone in his driveway in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. when he got the fateful text.

MLB Player Pool Salary Will Give Some Minor Leaguers A Pay Bump  —  For minor leaguers, being named to the 60-man player pool will result in either a minor pay bump or a major one.  —  Players not on the 40-man roster who are part of the player pool working out at their team's alternate site …

Cubs' José Quintana undergoes thumb surgery, likely to miss start of season  —  By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's  —  Cubs starter José Quintana will likely start the season on the injured list and his status is in doubt after suffering a thumb injury at home.

As MLB teams report, let's count the ways the Red Sox will be worse in 2020  —  By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's  —  Red Sox reality check.  They were never, ever meant to contend in 2020.  —  This 60-game sprint will probably keep them from plummeting completely out of the playoff race, but let's not kid ourselves.

Rangers relief pitcher Brett Martin tests positive for COVID-19, says he feels ‘perfectly fine now’  —  Martin presented ‘mild’ symptoms earlier in the week.  Friday is the first day of workouts for MLB clubs. … If the Rangers were unsure of the severity of the COVID-19 outbreak …

Catching On: Athletics Offer Fans Chance to be Part of the Scene as Cardboard Cutouts  —  It's going to be possible to “catch” a foul ball at the Coliseum this year without actually being at the Coliseum.  —  Under current plans being dictated by the fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus …