Rumors: Could Colorado Rockies and MLB not be playing before June?

According to one prominent baseball writer, the Colorado Rockies and other Major League Baseball teams may not be back on the field before June because of the continuously developing situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweeted out on Sunday afternoon news that will not be seen as welcome for fans of the Colorado Rockies or any other MLB team.

The hoped-for April 9 MLB start date was always seen as a best-case scenario, and with developments over the past few days, based on talks with several execs today anytime before June would be viewed as welcome.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 15, 2020

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If the 2020 baseball schedule were not to begin before June, it has been said that baseball could predict a much lighter slate for the season. We also talked in this article this morning about how a delayed schedule could push regular season action deep into October.

Certainly there is still much at play here regarding the schedule and the ever-developing landscape of the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease pandemic and Major League Baseball and other sports. On Sunday, it was reported that a minor league player in the New York Yankees farm system had tested positive for coronavirus, becoming the first case to hit organized baseball.

This news comes after an Arizona Diamondbacks minor league player was tested for COVID-19 and the test came back negative.

MLB has advised its teams to cease formal workouts in Arizona and Florida, adding to the thought that the season could be delayed longer than the April 9 target. Additionally, it has been reported that teams will receive another update on the ever-changing situation on Monday.

UPDATE (4:00 p.m. Mountain time) Robert Murray (formerly of The Athletic) reported on Twitter that the MLBPA has told players to live where they are most comfortable for the next 4-6 weeks.

UPDATE (5:30 p.m. Mountain time) The CDC has said in this guidance statement:

"Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations, hand hygiene, and social distancing. When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual."

According to one prominent baseball writer, the Colorado Rockies and other Major League Baseball teams may not be back on the field before June because of the continuously developing situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

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