The Yankees continued to take part in spring training games Tuesday like the rest of MLB teams, but rising concerns over the coronavirus outbreak has the sports world on edge.

With MLB joining the NBA, NHL and MLS in closing their locker rooms to the media and unnecessary personnel, other ideas -- like playing games without fans in stadiums or arenas -- have been floated around across all major sports leagues.

Yankees pitchers Gerrit Cole and Zack Britton understand the concerns for both players and fans with how things are progressing across the country with the virus, but still, not playing in front of fans would be tough.

"That would be unfortunate," Cole said Tuesday after pitching in the Yankees' 4-2 loss to the Blue Jays. "But I don't think it's something we can't get through as an industry; we can't get through as a country as well."

"It's not something we'd like to do if it comes down to it," Britton added.

Additionally, Yanks GM Brian Cashman told WFAN last week that the club is dialing back interactions such as handshakes and autographs with fans.

"Maybe these are the best steps to minimize the spread of this or anybody getting it in our clubhouse or around MLB," Britton said. "I don't think there's ever going to be a perfect way.

"I understand fans getting frustrated with players not signing autographs. I would be, too. We're just trying to be as safe as [we] possibly can. A lot of us have small children and we're trying to keep this in check as much as we can."

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