:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66529973/1201565241.jpg.0.jpg)
Major League Baseball announced on Thursday a league-wide initiative that will provide financial assistance for Minor League players for now through the originally scheduled start of the Minor League season. MLB intends to continue working with clubs to identify additional ways to support those players as a result of the delayed 2020 season.
Each player who is under a Minor League Uniform Player Contract will receive a lump sum equal to the allowances that would have been paid through April 8. The exceptions to this plan are non-40-man-roster players who are already receiving Major League allowances; players who are currently receiving housing, food or other services from Clubs; and players who were not participating in, or expected to participate in, Minor League Spring Training. MLB remains in communication with Clubs on the development of an industry-wide plan for Minor League player compensation from April 9 through the beginning of the coming season.
While not enough, it is a step in the right direction in regards to improved benefits for Minor League players who were thrust in to uncertainty following the postponement of the season.
More Braves News
We are in the middle of some depressing times at the moment but here are nine Braves stories that will lift your spirits.
Our own Wayne Cavadi takes a look at Braves’ right-handed prospect Tyler Owens who could be poised for a breakout in 2020.
26-years ago this week, rookie phenom Chipper Jones was set to make his Major League debut before a freak knee injury would cause him to miss the entire 1994 season.
Fox Sports South will re-air some of the most memorable games from the 2019 season. The series got underway on Thursday night and will continue through Thursday, March 26. Click through for the full list. If you are looking for more games to watch, FanGraphs released Part 1 of their list of favorite games to rewatch.
Former Braves draft pick Carter Stewart is scheduled to face NPB hitters for the first time on Friday. Stewart, who signed with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in May of 2019 rather than reentering the MLB Draft, will face the Chiba Lotte Marines in a practice game. The NPB regular season has been delayed until at least April 10 over coronavirus concerns.
MLB News
The Boston Red Sox announced on Thursday that left-hander Chris Sale will undergo Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2020 season. Sale had just resumed throwing after a period of inactivity due to what was termed as a strained flexor tendon. However, the pain persisted and Sale and the team have now opted for surgery.
Major League Baseball also announced on Thursday that the Diamondbacks/Padres series that had been scheduled to take place in Mexico City on April 18-19 and the Marlins/Mets series that was scheduled for San Juan, Puerto Rico on April 28-30 have been officially canceled.