This is a small measure, but a start: MLB teams will pay players signed to a Minor League Uniform Player Contract a lump sum equal to the spring-training per diems that would have been paid through April 8, with potentially more on the way.
The move comes as the sport struggles with financial challenges in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, as a long laundry list of issues need addressing: MLB and MiLB salaries, service time, the draft status, and more. It had already been announced that MLB would address MiLB payments once spring training was scrapped. Next up on the checklist: MiLB player compensation for any parts of the regular season that end up being canceled.
The exceptions to this plan are non-40-man-roster players who are already receiving Major League allowances; players who are currently receiving housing, food or other services from teams; and players who were not participating in, or expected to participate in, MiLB spring training.
Right now it looks like the earliest the MLB season could start is Memorial Day, but that’s still an optimistic scenario.
RELATED STORIES: MLB, MLBPA Negotiating Service Time, Draft; Truist Grant Extends Relief to MLB, MiLB Game-Day Workers; MiLB Teams Lose Non-Gameday Events Amidst Pandemic; Ballpark Parking Lots Could Help During Coronavirus Pandemic; MLB Teams Donate $30M Toward Game-Day Employees; Sandy Alderson: MLB Needs to Enter Total Shutdown; It’s Official: Don’t Look for MLB Until Memorial Day; MLB Teams Order Non-Roster Players Home, Shut Down Workouts; More MLB Teams Announce Plans to Aid Game-Day Employees; Telecommuting in Baseball’s Front Offices the New Reality; MLB, MiLB Season Openers Could Be Delayed to May; Surprise! Spring Training’s Canceled. What’s Next?; MLB Season Delayed For Two Weeks, MiLB Season Indefinitely