MLB Players Sent Home From Spring Training in Last-Minute Reversal

It appears that MLB players won't be able to stay in their respective camps.

MLB and the MLB Players Association have agreed to send players home, after it initially seemed like players would be able to stay with their teams and continue practicing at Spring Training facilities.

In a change, players are being sent home from spring camps now after an agreement between MLB and union. Possible some could remain but there will be no formal workouts. Players are concerned.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 13, 2020

Spring Training games were canceled and the start of the season was pushed back by two weeks on Thursday.

Now, though, it's abundantly clear that as the coronavirus continues to spread, neither the league nor the MLBPA think it's a good idea to require everyone to continue practicing together on public fields.

Players that want to stay can remain at camp, but it sounds as though their access to facilities will be severely limited.

MLB players being told to go home. Those that want to stay have use of only workout facitlies such as weightrooms, mounds and indoor cages. Will be interesting how many chose to stay where there are coaches and medical personnel who know them.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) March 13, 2020

It's the right call to make, given how serious the circumstances have gotten over the past week. Players from professional sports leagues domestically and abroad have posed risks to their teammates after catching the virus.

While sending players home could impact their performance in the upcoming season, and will likely necessitate an extra Spring Training after the ban has been lifted, the obvious hope is that above all else, it keeps COVID-19 from spreading to the players, staffers, and fans.