Opening Day pushed back to mid-May after CDC recommendation

Major League Baseball announced Monday that the beginning of the 2020 season will be delayed by at least eight weeks after the CDC recommended events with 50-plus people should be restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The earliest Opening Day could now potentially take place is mid-May.

"MLB will keep fans updated on decisions regarding plans for the 2020 schedule in the days and weeks ahead," the league said in a statement. "The clubs remain committed to playing as many games as possible when the season begins. We will continue to monitor ongoing events and undertake the precautions and best practices recommended by public health experts, and urge all baseball fans to follow suit."

MLB hasn't mentioned what it intends to do with the draft in June or the All-Star Game in July, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

The league put the start of the season on hold by at least two weeks last Thursday because of the growing outbreak. It also subsequently canceled the remainder of spring training contests and closed camps.

Boston Red Sox CEO Sam Kennedy said Friday that MLB is still planning to play a 162-game schedule. However, the CDC's recommendations make that a major challenge.