The Mariners and MLB have announced that following a call with all 30 clubs and consulting with the Major League Baseball Players Association, Commissioner Robert D. Manfred Jr. has decided to suspend Spring Training games and to delay the start of the 2020 regular season by at least two weeks due to the national emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic. Manfred says the action is being taken in the interests of the safety and well-being of our players, clubs and our millions of loyal fans.
MLB says daily operations and workouts will be relayed to all the Clubs in the coming days so stand by for more details from the Mariners as to specifics for home games.
Here is the Mariner’s Statement from Wednesday after Governor Jay Inslee’s initial crowd restriction announcement. We will update you with any new statements.
Statement from the Seattle Mariners on Governor Jay Inslee's community strategies to combat the spread of COVID19.
📰 https://t.co/hLUAuzPKcB pic.twitter.com/OnbmBESxJo
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 11, 2020
Meanwhile, Major League Soccer has also announced a 30-day suspension of match play effective immediately, as the league continues to assess the impact of COVID-19 with its medical task force and public health officials.
“Our clubs were united today in the decision to temporarily suspend our season – based on the advice and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), and other public health authorities, and in the best interest of our fans, players, officials and employees,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “We’d like to thank our fans for their continued support during this challenging time.”
COVID-19: Sounders FC Statement on Major League Soccer Announcement pic.twitter.com/NFOptzIPgc
— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) March 12, 2020