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Dodgers Rumors: Players Instructed To Head Home From Camelback Ranch In Wake Of MLB Shutting Down Due To Coronavirus Pandemic

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports

In the immediate aftermath of Major League Baseball cancelling all remaining Spring Training games and delaying the start of the 2020 season in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, teams began to implement a wide range of policies and plans.

Some closed their respective Spring Training facilities, while the Los Angeles Dodgers kept Camelback Ranch open. Manager Dave Roberts explained the club intended to hold voluntary workouts and he noted the overwhelming sense was players wanted to remain in Arizona.

While the Dodgers planned to move forward with organized workouts, Roberts noted there would need to be a balance struck so as not to suffer lingering effects during what the organization anticipates would be a deep postseason run.

That now appears to be somewhat of a moot point, as players were advised to leave Spring Training, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network:

Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times further clarified the Dodgers specifically were informed to leave Camelback Ranch:

Although MLB’s announcement indicated Opening Day was only pushed back for two weeks at this time, there already is a sense the regular season may not begin until May. That long of a layoff, coupled with workouts being limited, if not barred altogether, suggests a second Spring Training would be necessary and an April 9 start date is unlikely.

The state of limbo is particularly impactful for pitchers, who go through a deliberate build up during camp. Roberts expressed concern over that factor and acknowledged mapping out a plan was all the more difficult because of the uncertainty the coronavirus pandemic has brought about.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com