Concerns over the continued spread of the coronavirus could have a significant impact on the start of Major League Baseball's regular season, with teams in certain cities potentially having their games relocated.
As of now, the Mets -- who are scheduled to begin the season against the Nationals on March 26 at Citi Field -- plan to proceed with Opening Day with fans in the park, unless they are told otherwise by MLB or government authorities, SNY's Andy Martino reported on Wednesday.
According to Martino, several MLB teams are currently aware that they might have to at least move home games to start the season, per sources.
Here's what else we know so far...
- The Yankees, whose home opener is scheduled for April 2, say they are taking direction from MLB and health officials on all coronavirus-related matters, according to Martino.
- Governor Jay Inslee of Washington, where there have been 273 confirmed coronavirus cases and 23 deaths, has announced the prohibition of gatherings of 250 or more people through at least March 31. The Mariners had been scheduled to open the season in Seattle on March 26. MLB is currently working on a potential relocation for the Mariners for the start of the season, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
- Mayor London Breed of San Francisco has banned all large gatherings, which could have an impact on the Giants and Athletics.
- The Washington, D.C. Department of Health has recommended that mass gatherings of 1,000 or more should be cancelled, which coud have an impact on the Nationals and Orioles.
