/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66833905/1217447873.jpg.0.jpg)
A report from Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times states, with confirmation from general manager Jerry Dipoto, that the Seattle Mariners are finalizing reopening the Peoria Sports Complex to players and staff. The decision follows state officials in Arizona loosening restrictions in the past week, and is another small step towards preparing players and organizations for a restart to the season.
Divish notes that players “have not been instructed to return to Arizona” yet, and until MLB and the MLBPA come to terms, no formal instruction is likely to occur. In the past week, however, several teams have welcomed players for individual or small group workouts at their complexes and/or stadiums, including pitchers throwing bullpens. For Seattle, there are already a few players in position to take advantage of the sudden access.
“In the days after baseball shut down due the spread of Coronavirus, many players stayed in the Arizona after spring training was halted, hoping for a quick return and the idea of using the facilities to work out during the break. But many headed to their offseason homes once the facility was closed. Some like Yusei Kikuchi have remained while others like shortstop J.P. Crawford live there in the area in the offseason.”
Though workouts will be voluntary at the facilities, they will reportedly be monitored to ensure safe and healthy practices are maintained. Baseball-like activities at least, it seems, are on the horizon.