Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Thursday allowing professional sports teams to return to the state "without a live audience."
Whitmer's decision comes after MLB announced this week that it will hold a 60-game season starting on July 23-24 in empty ballparks. Players will report to their home ballparks next week for spring training before the season opens.
"Good news, sports fans," Whitmer said in a statement, per MLive.com. "We are now ready to gradually and safely allow professional sports to resume in Michigan. While this is an encouraging step in the reopening of our economy, it is critical for athletes to continue social distancing and taking precautions to stay safe.