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Major League Baseball likely to delay start of season due to coronavirus concerns

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred.

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred.

Photo: Howard Simmons, TNS

March 26 ostensibly marks the start of the MLB season; the Oakland Athletics were scheduled to play their home debut on March 30, and the San Francisco Giants were scheduled to open at Oracle Park on April 3. As of Thursday morning, all of these outcomes seem extremely unlikely.

MLB is expected to suspend spring training and "likely" delay the start of the regular season, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Thursday morning. The matter will be discussed on a conference call with the 30 MLB owners, New York Post columnist Joel Sherman reported, after which an official announcement is expected.