Major League Baseball

The stories and statistics of up to 300 baseball players who played in the Negro Leagues in Ohio are now part of Major League Baseball records.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he's canceling each team's first two series of the season, totaling 91 games. Players won't be paid for games they don't play.

So far, 71 players have tested positive for the coronavirus, the MLB said on Friday. "I'm actually kind of pleased it's as low as that," the league's medical director says.

Major League Baseball (MLB) will release the 60 game schedule Monday night, but some teams are unable to practice due to delays in COVID-19 testing. ESPN reported the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros canceled workouts scheduled for Monday as they await results of Friday coronavirus testing. Extended testing delays also have prevented the Oakland Athletics from starting full squad workouts.

The rules include a ban on spitting and a threat of immediate ejection if a player or coach gets too close to an umpire or opponent in the course of an argument.

Talks to start the Major League Baseball season amid the pandemic made some progress this week. Team owners have signed off on a plan that they will...