MLB teams, players experimenting with home workout routines amid COVID-19

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As the Major League Baseball season remains in limbo due to the coronavirus pandemic, players are expected to stay as close to game ready as possible. With team facilities closed to group workouts, clubs are getting creative trying to adapt to the unprecedented work stoppage.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been using TeamBuildr, a video-based mobile program for strength and conditioning training, while players are in isolation.

"We were so used to seeing guys all of the time, and now with the shutdown, all you can do is reach out to guys maybe twice a week, making sure they and their family members are healthy, and giving all of the guidance we can," D-Backs strength and conditioning coach Derek Somerville said, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports. "I think guys have bought into this, knowing that as long as this goes on, it’s the best way for all of us to stay engaged."

Texas Rangers coach Jose Vazquez says the health crisis has complicated conditioning for players who don't have access to personal home gyms or elaborate set-ups.

"Unless guys have big money and invested in home gyms, they’re going to have to do most of their workouts without equipment, just using their body weight," Vazquez told Nightengale. "And for the pitchers, the problem is throwing. You have to have space to throw, and someone to catch your bullpens. You have to get creative."

The New York Yankees have approached the problems facing pitchers by having players log their daily workouts on a shared Google Doc.

"They kind of go in and kind of have some level of accountability for themselves to write down what they're doing and kind of see what the other guys are doing," Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake said, according to The Athletic's Lindsey Adler. "We have a 30-day log that guys are filling out, so we can almost crowd-source what our options are for these guys as far as what are they capable of doing where they're at - warm weather or cold weather, whether they have access to a facility or not."

Some players do have access to more advanced set-ups in their homes. Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo, for example, has converted his living room into his personal batting cage.

Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland, meanwhile, has taken things a step further.