MLB and the MLBPA agreed to health and safety protocols for the 2021 season on Feb. 9, meaning the Grapefuit and Cactus leagues will kick off next week as the new season gets underway on schedule.
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In 2020, MLB and the players navigated a pretty difficult environment, with teams traveling while in the middle of a pandemic in, what turned out to be, a 60-game season that had more than a few bumps along the way. A few clubs sacrifced weeks of their schedule, and more importantly, health of the players to get the season finished, with a few outbreaks happening in between.
This year, the start of the MLB season was threatened once again, when owners proposed that Opening Day be pushed back a few weeks to give teams a better opportunity to potentially vaccinate players and give the number of COVID case a change to decline.
All of that, now, is settled, with a 162-game slate and some rule changes being rolled over from last season — the seven-inning doubleheaders and the runner-on-second rule for extra innings both return.
Here’s what you need to know about the start of the 2021 season.
When does 2021 MLB spring training start?
While the schedule for spring training has yet to be released, pitchers and catchers will start reporting on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the earliest. The first full-squad workout will happen the following week, on Feb. 22 at the earliest.
Expect full- and split-squad games to be scheduled soon after.
MLB spring training report dates
Grapefruit League in Florida
Cactus League in Arizona
Spring training locations for all 30 teams
Grapefruit League in Florida
Cactus League in Arizona
