Lovullo: Major League Baseball, players both want to get out, play in safe way

With the first economic proposal coming down from Major League Baseball to the Players Association, neither players or owners wants to rush through important details, but they do want to get back on the field.

“Both sides want to get out there and play, not risking any type of health consequence,” Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports Tuesday. “Nobody wants to walk through anything that is going to make anybody potentially ill.”

MLB presented a deal to MLBPA on Tuesday that would call for the highest-paid players to take a significant pay cut. The league is hoping to begin a modified spring training by June 10 and start a shortened season by the July 4 weekend.

There are currently no firm dates for when plans have to be set in stone, but for players, coaches and fans alike, it would be nice to know when the season will begin.

“The bottom line is, and the common denominator is, that they are talking, there is discussions and both sides want to get something done, but we know this is a process,” Lovullo said.

Lovullo noted the situation has drastically changed since mid-March when the coronavirus pandemic forced baseball teams to suspend spring training.

In the meantime, the D-backs have opened up Chase Field and Salt River Fields to allow players to work out, throw bullpen sessions and work on hitting and fielding.

“The attendance has been really good. It’s been most of the players that live here locally because a lot of the players got up and got out to their hometowns which are outside of the state of Arizona,” Lovullo said.

Lovullo said they’re following very strict guidelines which allow only four people on the field at a time. That usually consists of two coaches and two players.

“We’re getting work done. That’s the bottom line, and that’s what I ask these guys to do,” Lovullo said.

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