MLB teams will be allowed to furlough or reduce pay for non-playing employees as soon as May 1, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Rosenthal noted that MLB commissioner Rob Manfred will suspend Uniform Employee Contracts, effective May 1, to provide teams with some financial relief if they so choose.
Teams are not required to take this measure — and Rosenthal mentioned that the Braves, Phillies and Giants have already pledged to pay employees through May 31 — but Manfred’s decision is a response to the COVID-19 pandemic that has prevented the start of the 2020 season.
Non-playing personnel that may be affected include managers and coaches at the major and minor league levels, scouts and some front-office staffers. Even if teams furlough or reduce pay for these employees, their health benefits will continue.
Manfred recently revealed that league staff will be paid through May 31, and that he is among the senior league employees whose salaries will be reduced by an average of 35 per cent, according to ESPN.
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