Grounds crew workers Jacob Weiderstrom, left, and Marcus Gignac pull a tarp off home plate as they continue to keep the Seattle Mariners' field in playing shape as the ballpark goes into its seventh week without baseball played because of the coronavirus outbreak Monday, May 11, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
By Ronald Blum
The baseball players' association gave management a wide-ranging response Thursday to a 67-page proposed set of protocols for a season to be played during the coronavirus pandemic.
Management had presented the union and the 30 teams the proposed draft last Friday.
The union said Thursday it addressed: protections for high-risk players, access to pre- and postgame therapies, testing frequency, protocols for positive tests, in-stadium medical personnel, and sanitization procedures.
Players viewed many of the concepts in the original draft as over-the-top, such as arriving in uniform at the ballparks, a prohibition on them leaving hotels without team permission, and a ban on guests other than immediate family members. Players also objected to a ban on the use of showers and hydrotherapy.
The union wants more frequent testing than management's proposed “multiple times per week.”
MLB is expected to make an economic proposal to the union within a few days. MLB hopes to start the season by early July.
Wearable robotics are moving beyond sci-fi. Dephy CEO Luke Mooney explains how its smart ankle exoskeleton is changing mobility, recovery and everyday movement.
Voice AI is moving into cars, restaurants and customer service. SoundHound CEO Keyvan Mohajer explains the company’s growth and the future of voice-powered AI.
Americans are still spending, but rising anxiety over jobs, AI, housing and tariffs tells a different story. Kearney Consumer Institute’s Katie Thomas explains.
Disney is back in focus after Q3 earnings. Investors are watching streaming profits, theme parks and ESPN as the entertainment giant looks for its next catalyst
Healthcare policy is shifting fast, raising questions about drug prices, Medicare and access. Leap Health CEO Hani Elias explains what patients need to know.
The U.S. job market is cooling as hiring slows and employers turn cautious. LinkedIn’s Kory Kantenga breaks down jobs, wages, spending and AI’s impact.
