MLB Expected to Suspend All Spring Training Play as Decision on Opening Day Nears

The coronavirus pandemic has opened the eyes of many, especially after Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert contracted the disease, clarifying thing and resulting in the NBA suspending its season. In turn, it has left the door open for other leagues to follow suit, and it appears one of the final dominoes to fall is prepared to take action.

According to reports, Major League Baseball is expected to suspend spring training play in the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues as soon as Thursday.

There is a feeling of inevitability among executives that Major League Baseball will be suspending spring training as soon as today, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 12, 2020

The move is a welcome, but expected, move -- why even entertain the thought of playing meaningless games, at this point? Yet, there's still uncertainty about the start of the regular season, as previous reports indicated that they would go on with the regular season as is, with the possibility of no fans being allowed to attend.

However, everything clattered to the ground once the Gobert news dropped on Wednesday evening, and his teammate Donovan Mitchell tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday morning. Major League Soccer opted to suspend its season until further notice, while the National Hockey League is expected to follow suit.

Of course, there's plenty more going on here than just baseball-player-related illness possibilities.

Jason Heyward: “I’m more worried about going and saying hello to my parents. They’re 62, 63 years old. I got teammates with kids. Relatives. I’m just more worried about that – the safety of everyone else that may not be able to fight it off.”
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) March 12, 2020

NBA commissioner Adam Silver set the tone for how professional sports should handle this global pandemic, and now it's up to Rob Manfred to make a final decision.

That will come later on in the day during a conference call with team owners to see when they should go about starting the season.