Texas player has concern about MLB opening day in Seattle

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — With just over two weeks until baseball's opening day, Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos says he's “a little bit” concerned about traveling to Seattle with Washington state having the worst coronavirus outbreak in the U.S.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday the state is preparing for potentially tens of thousands of cases, based on estimates of the spread of the disease. The Mariners are scheduled to open their season by hosting the Rangers on March 26. Major League Baseball said Monday that all opening weekend series were still set to run as planned.

“I know the season starts in Seattle, and we know how Seattle is right now," Chirinos said Tuesday. "That’s 2½ weeks from now, so I think we’re going to hear some news when we’re getting close to opening day. Right now, it’s starting the season in Seattle and see what happens in 2½ weeks.”

Rangers president of baseball operations Jon Daniels said Monday that Texas, Seattle and MLB had not discussed opening day alternatives, which could include relocating the series to the Rangers' new ballpark in Arlington. Daniels said the stadium would be ready to host the series, if necessary.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the WHO, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks. Those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 63,000 so far have recovered.

The NBA, NHL, MLS and MLB have yet to bar fans from stadiums in the U.S.,...

source https://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/Spanish-soccer-games-to-be-played-in-empty-15119248.php