MLB officially postpones season after new CDC guidelines

Major League Baseball confirmed on Monday it would delay the start of the 2020 season, citing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) restricting events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks. 

The decision comes after commissioner Rob Manfred conducted a conference call with the league’s 30 teams on Monday morning. 

MLB had last week first announced its regular season was being pushed back from March 26 to at least April 9.

“Following last night’s newly updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention restricting events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, the opening of the 2020 regular season will be pushed back in accordance with that guidance,” MLB said in a statement.

“MLB will keep fans updated on decisions regarding plans for the 2020 schedule in the days and weeks ahead,” the league added. “The Clubs remain committed to playing as many games as possible when the season begins.”

JUST IN: Opening of 2020 Major League Baseball season pushed back following CDC guidance on large gatherings. https://t.co/Q0knkl2OT3 pic.twitter.com/dubCa5WCty

— ABC News (@ABC) March 16, 2020

The league has not reduced its full season since 1995, when league play was impacted by a players’ strike.

All major sports leagues in the U.S. have decided to suspend play in their respective leagues, including the National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association. 

The NCAA announced on Thursday its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, known as March Madness, would also be canceled.

This past weekend marked the first time since 9/11 that most major sports were not played on a weekend in the U.S.