NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball owners have given the go-ahead to make a proposal to the players’ union that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July weekend in ballparks without fans, a person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press.
The plan Monday envisions expanding the designated hitter to the National League for 2020.
Spring training would start in early to mid-June.
Governor Ducey announced Tuesday at a press conference that Arizona would welcome professional sports back after May 15, when the state's stay-at-home order would expire, without fans in attendance and given proper safety guidelines for everyone involved. Ducey also said that he has spoken to the MLB commissioner and that Arizona would be "more than happy to host the season" if needed.
Each team would play about 82 regular-season games under the most recent proposal, mostly against opponents in its own division.
Postseason play would be expanded from 10 clubs to 14 by doubling wild cards in each league to four.
