Top News:
ESPN:
31 MLB players positive for coronavirus after first round of tests — Thirty-one players were positive for COVID-19 in Major League Baseball's first round of coronavirus testing, the league and players' union announced Friday. — Seven staff members also tested positive.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Gaslamp Ball
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Jeff Passan / ESPN:
The 2020 MLB season is a series of tests — and the first big one comes today — Training camps around Major League Baseball officially open Friday, marking another step toward the game's return. As momentous as that might sound, as positive as that might seem, Friday is a vital day to MLB for an entirely different reason.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Yahoo! Sports and baseballmusings.com
Ben Pickman / Sports Illustrated:
MLB Announces 38 Positive COVID-19 Tests Out of More Than 3,000 Samples — MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association announced the first set of results for COVID-19 testing on Friday. — MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association announced the first set of results …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Trade Rumors and New York Post
Marly Rivera / ESPN:
MLB teams can't identify players who test positive for coronavirus
MLB teams can't identify players who test positive for coronavirus
Discussion:
Phillies Nation, Bucs Dugout and FanGraphs Baseball
MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings …:
MLB cancels All-Star Game for first time since 1945 — By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodger Stadium's 40-year wait to host the All-Star Game is going to last even longer. — The game scheduled for July 14 was canceled Friday because of the coronavirus pandemic …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, baseballmusings.com and Pinstripe Alley
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Scott Boeck / Cincinnati.com:
MLB All-Star Game officially canceled; Dodgers rescheduled to host in 2022 — To no surprise, Major League Baseball officially canceled the 2020 All-Star Game due to health concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, the league announced on Friday. — This will be the first time the Midsummer Classic will not be played since World War II.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, MLB Daily Dish and Sportsnet.ca
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
After blowback, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred clarifies comments on 60-game season — While the Twitterverse thought MLB commissioner Rob Manfred accidentally confessed Wednesday on the Dan Patrick Show that it was always MLB's intention to play a 60-game season, Manfred clarified Thursday what he meant.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and New York Post
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
With pregnant wife, Angels star Mike Trout unsure if he'll play in 2020: ‘Playing it by ear’ — Mike Trout, the Los Angeles Angels' three-time MVP and widely regarded as baseball's greatest player, is wary about starting the 2020 season with his wife expecting their first baby in August.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, MLB Trade Rumors and Fox News
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Welington Castillo Opts Out Of 2020 Season — Veteran catcher Welington Castillo has opted out of the 2020 season, Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters Friday (Twitter link via the Washington Post's Jesse Dougherty). Castillo inked a minor league contract with the Nationals …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Federal Baseball
Brittany Ghiroli / The Athletic:
Prohibition baseball: Inside the biggest All-Star Game no one watched — Luke Jackson had nowhere to throw when baseball shut down. So, the Atlanta Braves right-hander got desperate, watched some YouTube videos, and built a makeshift mound. He was throwing alone in his driveway in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. when he got the fateful text.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit, Purple Row, New York Post, NESN.com, Yahoo! Sports and MLB Baseball News …
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
MLB Player Pool Salary Will Give Some Minor Leaguers A Pay Bump — For minor leaguers, being named to the 60-man player pool will result in either a minor pay bump or a major one. — Players not on the 40-man roster who are part of the player pool working out at their team's alternate site …
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Trade Rumors, Halos Heaven and Los Angeles Times
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers' opening summer camp workout: 5 observations — Here are five observations from Day 1 of the Detroit Tigers' summer camp at Comerica Park on Friday afternoon: — 1. Michael Fulmer — Fulmer, who is considering himself rehabilitated from right elbow ligament reconstruction surgery …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Tim Stebbins / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Cubs' José Quintana undergoes thumb surgery, likely to miss start of season — By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's — Cubs starter José Quintana will likely start the season on the injured list and his status is in doubt after suffering a thumb injury at home.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Chicago Cubs News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue