#MLB coronavirus outbreak: Answering all of your questions

On Tuesday, Major League Baseball announced a dizzying slew of scheduling changes emanating from the coronavirus outbreak that hit the Marlins these past few days. Do you have questions about the fallout? In a rare, positive 2020 development, we have answers.

Q: OK, so MLB shut down the Marlins through Sunday. Is there anything that would delay their return further than next Monday, Aug. 3?

A: Sure — more positive tests. But it probably would have to be quite a lot more, like double the current count of 15 players. MLB has made clear that it regards the Marlins as a miscreant rather than an honorable casualty in the battle against COVID-19 and it won’t be brought down by the Fredo Corleone of this league. At the least, this break gives the Marlins time to sign reinforcements off the scrap heap. Two simple words to restore the peace: Bartolo Colon.

Q: Will the Marlins attempt to make up all of their missed games (seven total)?

A: Yes. They will try to find mutual off days, play doubleheaders and anything else feasible.

Q: That seems daunting given the original schedule called for 60 games in 66 days. What if they don’t play all 60? Even though the Marlins won’t be in the playoff hunt, some of their opponents this week, like the Nationals, could be.

A: If not all teams make it to 60 games, then postseason slots will be determined by winning percentage. Precedent for this can be found in 1981 and 1972, and both of those happened as a result of work stoppages, a trivial matter compared to this pandemic.

Q: You mentioned the Nationals. They voted not to travel to Miami for their series this weekend, a powerful declaration that MLB smoothly folded into its Marlins pause. What happens if other teams opt not to go to COVID hot spots like Florida or Texas?

A: Technically, clubs can’t unilaterally decide to simply skip a trip. Yet they can put profound public pressure on the league with such an announcement — which is why the league and the MLB Players Association likely would put immense private pressure on the teams to not be so bold. Keep an eye on those Nats. They have been a feisty bunch, both management and players honestly sharing their concerns and fears about this extremely risky venture.

Q: When does a New York team first travel to Florida?

The Yankees are supposed to play the Rays at Tropicana Field on Aug. 7. Asked on Tuesday how he felt about his team going to Florida, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, while acknowledging Florida’s horror-show status, said, “I’m not focused on 10 days from now.”

Q: Let’s go back to the Phillies for a moment. They’re getting four days off after playing the Marlins over the weekend. Could their break be extended if things turn bad?

A: Yup. So far, however, no players have tested positive this week. Don’t throw a party yet; sometimes the coronavirus takes a few days to incubate.

Q: Would MLB have been better off playing in a bubble like the NBA and NHL?

A: Rob Manfred doesn’t think that was feasible, which is very fair. The logistics are drastically different than those for basketball and hockey.

Q: How many more outbreaks can baseball withstand before it gives up and cancels the season?

A: The next one would have to be it, right? The decision-makers can grind through the Marlins’ misery by pointing out how well the non-Marlins testing has gone. Could they shrug off a second team getting hit this hard, though? It’s tough to envision.