MLB & MLBPA Agree to Health Protocols For 2021 Season

By Charles Elmo

Sports Writer

MLB and its players association reached an agreement on health protocols, seven-inning doubleheaders, and runners on second base in extra innings for the 2021 season, according to ESPN.

The agreement includes more sophisticated contact-tracing protocols with the help of technology and stricter league rules for compliance, ESPN continued.

The new plan also allows for a 162-game regular season, according to Forbes.

The implementation of more seven-inning doubleheaders is a way to ensure that the season is completed in its entirety without cancellation.

Although 45 games were postponed for COVID-19 related reasons last season, two of them have not been made up, ESPN continued.

Last season’s start was delayed from March 26 to July 23 due to the initial outbreak of the pandemic, while each team’s schedule was cut to just 60 regular season games, ESPN added.

Spring training opens up Feb. 17 and Opening Day is scheduled for April 1, ESPN continues.

COVID-19 Numbers

The following is the latest COVID-19 cases for yesterday and today.