Tampa Bay Rays: MLB Set to Suspend All Operations Indefinitely, Could Delay Start of Season

Tampa Bay Rays fans are watching closely as Major League Baseball appears to be on the brink of announcing their plans for suspending spring operations.

The Tampa Bay Rays have already seen their home city in the news after two people from the Tampa area were confirmed to have contracted COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. As that number begins to rise in both the Tampa area and the state of Florida, officials are taking action, including those in Major League Baseball.

ESPN has reported that Major League Baseball owners and officials are likely set to suspend spring training in both Florida and Arizona effective tomorrow.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that following a meeting Thursday afternoon, the league has decided it will suspend spring training operations and will likely be forced to delay the start of the regular season.

Major League Baseball is doing what they believe is the most responsible course of action in following suit from other major sports organizations around the country. Just last night the NBA announced they were suspending their season after two Jazz players, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The NCAA has canceled conference tournaments.

MLB’s announcement will come not long after the NHL announced it was suspending its season until further notice.

While there will be no more spring baseball games, the teams can choose to keep their practice facilities open.

Once the league feels comfortable with resuming action, it remains to be seen how much work the players will need prior to beginning the regular season.

Stay clean, stay healthy, and stay tuned to Rays Colored Glasses to keep you thinking about baseball during the hiatus.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.