Rob Manfred on remainder of MLB season: 'There is no reason to quit now'
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred just made a very questionable statement regarding the remainder of the 2020 season.
According to ESPN's Karl Ravech, Manfred doesn't see a reason to cancel the remainder of the baseball season despite a rising number of coronavirus cases across the league.
MLB Network's Jon Heyman also tweeted Saturday that there's a "strong commitment" from Manfred to make the season work amid the coronavirus pandemic:
Manfred's comments come after the Miami Marlins had 18 players and two staff members test positive for COVID-19 during baseball's first week in action. The Marlins season currently is on hold as the league tries to figure out the next steps.
The coronavirus also has made its way to other Major League Baseball clubhouses. The Philadelphia Phillies' weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays has been postponed after multiple members of the organization have tested positive for COVID-19.
The St. Louis Cardinals also reported two positive cases on Friday, resulting in their series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers being postponed. The Cardinals reported an additional four cases on Saturday, bringing their total to six and having their weekend matchup postponed.
Manfred reportedly sent a memo to the MLBPA on Friday stating that the season is in jeopardy and the players need to get their act together if they want to salvage what remains of the 2020 campaign. Apparently, something has changed, though, as it appears Manfred will be allowing the season to continue.
At this point, it seems like Manfred can't make up his mind and doesn't necessarily know what to do moving forward. If one thing's for sure, the league needs to have more strict safety protocols that restrict players from going out to night clubs, like a few Marlins did, or casinos, like a few Cardinals did.
More must-reads: