The Chicago White Sox are mandating COVID-19 booster shots for all minor league players, telling them in an email Friday that they "will not be able to participate" in spring training without being fully up-to-date on vaccinations, according to a copy of the letter obtained by ESPN.
The White Sox are the first team known to require vaccinations for minor league players. In late January, Major League Baseball told teams that vaccines would not be mandatory for minor league players but would be for managers, coaches and other staff that come into regular contact with players.