Marty’s musings: COVID tests and training prep

Welcome to ‘Marty’s Musings’, my weekly column of numbers summarizing the happenings in the baseball world. I am your guide for taking an analytic look at the news and notes throughout the game, and highlighting this week’s key pitching matchups.

This week Major League Baseball took several steps closer to returning to training camps and starting the 2020 season at the end of the month, while Minor League Baseball canceled their season. At this point, all MLB players have been tested, and several have publicly stated they will be opting out of the season.

News & Notes

31 - Players (at least) who tested positive for COVID when all players were tested last week. While it might be less than expected, the news comes amidst several MLB team states rolling back opening due to spikes in positive tests. Although MLB is trying to keep most of the positive tests confidential, Freddie Freeman and three other Braves tested positive.

0 - Games for MiLB in 2020. It’s a disastrous but necessary development for Minor League Baseball as the community-focused leagues would not be able to sustain themselves without fans at the ballpark. The health crisis raises further questions for the future of MiLB.

7 - Players have publicly announced they are opting out of the shortened 2020 season. Baseball America is compiling an updated list, which to date includes David Price, Ian Desmond, and Ryan Zimmerman.

1 - Home team outside of the United States. The Toronto Blue Jays received an exemption letter from the Canadian government, allowing them to hold training camp in Toronto, likely able to also play home games at the Rogers Centre complex, which is a self-contained hotel and field.

17 - Days until Opening Day.