As Major League Baseball deals with what increasingly looks like a long-term shutdown due to the new coronavirus, minor leaguers are in a state of limbo.
The league and the MLBPA are trying to establish a plan to address all the issues facing major leaguers before focusing on minor leaguers, MLB officials said, according to Baseball America's Kyle Glaser.
Some teams are taking initiative with their minor-league players, though. Generally, minor leaguers depend on a per diem instead of salary during spring training. They are ineligible for unemployment benefits because they remain under contract with their parent clubs.
The New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and Miami Marlins each confirmed they will continue to pay their minor leaguers the allowances they would have received throughout spring training.
The Red Sox are paying these allowances through March 19 and are having discussions on how to proceed after that date.
The Tampa Bay Rays have also agreed to cover the $400 per week typically given to their minor-league players during spring, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
Still, many minor leaguers have expressed their frustration with their status and compensation, albeit anonymously. Former Mets utility player Ty Kelly has been actively lobbying for them on Twitter.
