Miami Marlins: MLB plans to continue 2020 season

The Miami Marlins will continue to play baseball this season despite the spread of the coronavirus through the team’s roster after this weekend.

It appears the Miami Marlins and the other 29 MLB teams will continue to play baseball as the 60-game schedule has been affected by the spread of the Coronavirus that has hit the South Florida team with multiple cases over the weekend.

"According to Yahoo Sports, “Major League Baseball is reportedly not considering canceling its season after a coronavirus outbreak on the Miami Marlins has infected a third of the team, affected three other teams and postponed at least two games this week.”"

The Marlins were hit hard by the virus, where their most veteran starting pitcher Jose Urena and two starters – outfielder Harold Ramirez and designated hitter Garrett Cooper – were placed on the Injured List after testing positive. It was also learned multiple individuals within the Marlins roster had tested positive for the virus while the team was in Philadelphia for the first series of the 2020 season.

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The Marlins won the three-game set 2-1. But the first home series of the season, which was supposed to start on Monday evening, was put on hold per the MLB league office as the Marlins were awaiting results to see if more members of the organization had been affected.

It was also announced that the game between the Marlins and Orioles set for Tuesday has also been canceled, per the league office. Games could resume on Wednesday if there is a belief the virus has not been spread further.

"“MLB owners met on a conference call Monday afternoon after the Marlins news broke, and according to Scott Miller of Bleacher Report, canceling or pausing the season wasn’t talked about. Instead, the league’s plan is to double down on its already-in-place safety protocols — including cracking down on high fives and spitting, while making masks mandatory in the clubhouse,” Mike Oz wrote."

After reading what the Marlins and MLB are doing after finding out about the breakout, let me say I am not surprised something like this has happened as there are still plenty of questions about how to continue players and organizations in an environment that is not full proof.

While protocols are still being followed and the Miami Marlins have continued to make sure the health and safety of everyone involved in the process of starting the 2020 season were protected, it still remains a major concern.

Now, the Marlins must determine who will replace both Cooper and Ramirez and if it will be prospects or players the front office can acquire via waivers or free agency. This is a situation that not only affected the Miami Marlins and Orioles, but it also had an impact on the Phillies and the New York Yankees, Philadelphia’s next opponent on the schedule.

"“The Phillies, meanwhile, had their Monday game against the New York Yankees postponed while they awaited test results and had their clubhouses cleaned,” Oz added. “The Yankees, meanwhile, were instructed to treat Monday like an off day but not leave the team hotel, according to James Wagner of the New York Times.”"