Springer, Bauer donating to stadium workers during MLB shutdown

Major League Baseball players are starting to step up for stadium workers and other staff impacted by the league's COVID-19 suspension.

Houston Astros outfielder George Springer announced Saturday that he's donating $100,000 to Minute Maid Park employees who are impacted by the cancellation of games.

"These are the people that help take care of my family when I go to work," Springer told Mark Berman of KRIV FOX 26. "Now I want to help take care of them when they're in a time of need."

Springer's individual donation follows in the footsteps of athletes from other sports who have stepped up to support workers during the sports-wide stoppages, including NBA stars Kevin Love and Zion Williamson.

MLB canceled the remainder of spring training and postponed Opening Day by at least two weeks due to the COVID-19 virus. The Astros are poised to miss six home games during that stretch.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer created a GoFundMe page to help support MLB game-day staff across the sport.

Bauer, who is also trying to organize a pickup baseball game in Arizona, set the GoFundMe's goal at $1 million. In less than two hours, the page raised over $14,400.

The Detroit Tigers ownership group pledged $1 million Friday to cover the lost wages of part-time game and event staff at Comerica Park as well as the Tigers' spring training home in Lakeland, Florida.