MLB has seen 40 players and staff test positive for COVID-19 in the past week as negotiations drag on between the league and players in an attempt to start the pandemic-delayed 2020 season, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY.
The news comes on the heels of the league shuttering all 30 of its training camps for deep cleaning and disinfecting following a rise in positive tests in Florida. The Philadelphia Phillies also announced Friday that five players had tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, four members of the New York Yankees’ organization have reportedly tested positive and the Toronto Blue Jays shut down their spring training facility in Dunedin after a player exhibited COVID-19 symptoms.
On Sunday, the MLBPA also delayed its vote on MLB’s latest offer for a 60-game season, but was expected to reject the proposal. Players want 70 games and $275 million more than teams are offering. They are worried that if a resurgence of the new coronavirus causes the 2020 season to be cut short, the deal being negotiated would lock in innovations for 2021 and lessen the union’s bargaining power.
With files from The Associated Press.
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