Health and safety of players, staff and fans is top concern, White Sox say

While monitoring the coronavirus pandemic on a daily basis and recognizing the fluidity of a quickly evolving situation, the White Sox said any decisions about their schedule or venue changes will be made by Major League Baseball.

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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — While monitoring the coronavirus pandemic on a daily basis and recognizing the fluidity of a quickly evolving situation, the White Sox said any decisions about their schedule or venue changes will be made by Major League Baseball.

“While there is understandably a lot of speculation going on right now, any direct discussion of cancellations or venue changes for the White Sox would be premature,” said Scott Reifert, the team’s senior vice president of communications. “Thankfully, we do have some time remaining before Opening Day and will continue to work with MLB to keep our fans informed of any changes to future plans should circumstances require. For both MLB and the White Sox, the health and safety of our players, staff, employees and fans remains a top-most concern.”

On Wednesday, the NCAA announced its basketball tournament will be played in mostly empty arenas. The Mariners and MLB have not announced where they will play the team’s first two series: against the Rangers from March 26-29 and the Twins from March 30 through April 1.

“Obviously, this is a quickly evolving, very fluid situation,” Reifert said. “The White Sox, like the other 29 teams, remain in daily contact with Major League Baseball, which also is communicating with the CDC, WHO, other sports leagues, as well as local, state and federal authorities. Any decisions about our schedule, both in the spring and regular season, or venue changes will be made by MLB.”

The Sox are scheduled to play Cactus League spring training games through March 24 in preparation for their season which opens March 26 against the Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field.

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