MLB teams aren’t supposed to provide their facilities for players on the 40-man roster to train during the lockout.
This is an extremely inconvenient development for major leaguers because they want to stay ready for the hypothetical start of the season, but they are forced to look elsewhere for a field and the proper resources.
The situation is different for minor leaguers, though.
New York Mets beat writer Anthony DiComo reported that the team is indeed hosting a camp for prospects.
“The Mets, like many teams, are running a camp for top prospects beginning this weekend, prior to regular minor league camp which begins March 1. Must be non-40 man players. Among those present: Francisco Álvarez, Brett Baty, Matt Allan, J.T. Ginn, Alex Ramírez and many more.”
The Mets, like many teams, are running a camp for top prospects beginning this weekend, prior to regular minor league camp which begins March 1. Must be non-40 man players.
Among those present: Francisco Álvarez, Brett Baty, Matt Allan, J.T. Ginn, Alex Ramírez and many more. pic.twitter.com/fRmLoZyH8M
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 18, 2022
As DiComo notes, several teams are doing the same.
Minor Leaguers Can Stay In Shape Before Camp
It’s a very good initiative for young minor leaguers and players outside of the 40-man rosters to stay in shape and arrive to minor league camp with some miles under their legs and a loose arm.
While it’s always a positive development when minor leaguers can train for the upcoming season, one can’t help but think that major leaguers have a bit more issues to train.
Some major leaguers have a field nearby, or access to training facilities, but not everyone does.
The New York Daily News recently reported that Gleyber Torres and Gio Urshela, star infielder of the New York Yankees, were using high school fields to train, and around noon, they have to start picking up their belongings because a high school game will start in a couple of hours.
It goes without saying that preventing access to players to the team facilities is one of the dumbest things of the lockout.
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