Major League Baseball is discussing a plan that would see the season start in late June or early July, according to USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale.
Per Nightengale’s sources, baseball officials are “cautiously optimistic” the 2020 campaign will be underway by July 2 at the latest, with the goal of playing at least 100 regular-season games. Teams would be allowed to play out of their home stadiums, but with no fans present.
The plan has not been finalized and is still pending approval of medical experts.
The league is also considering a realignment that would result in three 10-team divisions based on geography. Teams would only compete within their own division to reduce travel.
Nightengale laid out the possible realignment structure, with many of the sport’s biggest rivalries remaining intact:
EAST
New York Yankees and Mets, Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins
WEST
Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners
CENTRAL
Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers
MLB has been on pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic since March 12.
