MLB’s return to action in an abbreviated 2020 season, being played in the midst of the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, depends upon the implementation of special protocols and extensive testing to try to keep players and staff healthy, and to allow early intervention and quarantining should someone test positive, in order to prevent the virus from spreading widely among personnel with a team.
There has already been a major issue with at least one team, however. The Oakland A’s have not been able to have a full squad workout yet because the intake tests for the team’s position players had not, as of Sunday evening, been sent to MLB’s lab in Salt Lake City.