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MLBPA agrees to 60-game season; Opening Day for late July?

Looks like there will finally be a season. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Report: MLBPA agrees to 60-game MLB season; Opening Day for late July?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Jun 23, 2020 7:25 PM ET

Three months after the season opener was officially postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association have finalized the details ahead of a return to play, which will see players report to camps July 1 and the season officially open on July 23 or 24 to empty stadiums.

On Tuesday, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the union accepted a proposal for a 60-game regular season that includes players reporting for spring training 2.0 sessions by July 1:

The Major League Baseball Players Association has agreed to report to training camps by July 1 and play a 60-game season, sources tell ESPN, but deal is not finalized yet.

One last health-and-safety hurdle to get over and Major League Baseball will be back a week from tomorrow.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 23, 2020

Earlier in the day, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com tweeted that the pandemic-shortened season will include altered rules such as a universal designated hitter and also a runner starting every extra inning frame on second base:

Proposed MLB rule changes for 2020:

* Implementation of DH in both leagues
* Extra innings start with runner on second base
* No limits on position players pitching
* Pitchers can have wet rag in pocket as substitute for licking fingers
* Three-batter minimum still stands
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 23, 2020

Cotillo added:

Some health and safety proposals from MLB's latest plan (6/20):

* Temperature/symptom checks twice per day
* COVID tests every other day during spring, regular season and postseason
* Antibody testing about once per month
* High-risk players can opt out
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 23, 2020

* No pregame exchange of lineup cards
* Social distancing encouraged on field
* Pitchers bring own rosin bag to mound
* Non-playing personnel wear masks in dugout/bullpen at all times
* Spitting prohibited, but chewing gum is allowed
* Fights are strictly prohibited
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) June 23, 2020

The MLBPA later announced on its official Twitter account Tuesday evening that all remaining issues had been resolved.

All remaining issues have been resolved and Players are reporting to training camps.
— MLBPA Communications (@MLBPA_News) June 24, 2020

After the union rejected a 60-game plan on Monday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the regular season likely wouldn't begin before July 26. ESPN's Buster Olney added some players may refuse to report, but that was before Tuesday's developments.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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