MLB To Delay 2020 Opening Day 2 Weeks, Cancel Spring Training

Major League Baseball announced Thursday afternoon it will suspend spring training games and delay the start of the 2020 regular season by at least two weeks due to the spread of the new coronavirus.

"Nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our players, employees and fans," the MLB said in a statement. "MLB will continue to undertake the precautions and best practices recommended by public health experts. We send our best wishes to all individuals and communities that have been impacted by coronavirus."

Opening Day of the 2020 campaign was scheduled for March 26.

The MLB is the latest professional sports league to take major steps to combat the spread of the new coronavirus.

The MLB decision follows in the footsteps of the NBA, which suspended its season Wednesday night after Utah Jazz Center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, the MLS and NHL also announced a similar suspension of its season Thursday, and a large collection of college basketball games have been canceled in the build-up to the March Madness tournament.

Major League Baseball initially considered the idea of playing games at alternative sites due to the coronavirus, as the Athletics, Dodgers, Angels and Giants were already set to move their regular season games in March and April.