Just shy of the four-week mark in Spring Training, Major League Baseball was forced to temporarily suspend operations due to concerns over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic — cancelling all remaining exhibition games and delaying the start of the regular season.
While players were allowed to remain at their respective Spring Training facilities, the league eventually informed them that group activities would no longer be permitted to abide by the physical distancing protocols.
As a result, many players opted to return to their offseason homes, where they have continued individual workouts with no restrictions.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith has been able to stick to his routine, but acknowledged that hitting has become more difficult due to a lack of resources, via SportsNet LA:
“Just kind of hanging out, working out at home. I’ve got a net set up in the back, I hit off a tee and throw into it. Just kind of make do until we’re ready to get going again. … As far as workouts, I’ve been able to get some good workouts in and stay physically in shape. Throwing-wise, I’ve been totally fine. I’ll throw five or six days a week.
“It’s just the hitting, hitting is tough because you can’t get into a cage and work out with some guys, hit off a machine or take flips and stuff. A tee, a couple times a week is about all I get right now. That’ll be the one area I focus on and have to kind of fine-tune when we get back.”
Prior to MLB coming to a halt, Smith was just beginning to hit his stride at the plate after getting off to a slow start in Cactus League play.
The 25-year-old is heading into his first full big league campaign after bursting onto the scene and winning the starting job in 2019. Smith hit .253/.337/.571 with 15 home runs and 42 RBI in 54 games as a rookie last season.
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