American Association sticking to May 19 baseball opener

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This article was published 23/03/2020 (2337 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Play ball!

At least, that’s what the American Association is saying for now.

On March 13, the league released a statement saying the season is scheduled to start on time with opening day set for May 19. The Free Press spoke with commissioner Joshua Schaub on Monday and asked if they still believe that’s realistic with the growing concerns of COVID-19.

“The last CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control) recommendation we had was, I think March 15, saying it would be eight weeks until we can have gatherings of more than 250 people. We’re still sticking to that,” Schaub said.

“We’re still business as usual until we’re told otherwise.”

Spring training for all AA clubs, including the Winnipeg Goldeyes, is scheduled to start May 7.

With the signing of third baseman Eric Wood on Monday, the Goldeyes now have three members of the Canadian national team on the roster.

The other two are returning infielder Wes Darvill and catcher Dustin Houle.

Wood, a 27-year-old from Toronto, played last season for the Triple-A International League’s Indianapolis Indians (Pittsburgh Pirates) where he hit .247 with nine home runs and 32 RBI’s in 78 games.

Wood played a key role in Canada’s international success in 2019-20 at the Pan Am Games (silver medal) and the Premier12 Olympic Qualifier in Seoul, South Korea. Wood was 13-for-33 (.394) in nine games between the two tournaments.

The Fish have also signed left-handed pitcher Jose Jose to a contract. Jose was acquired from the Frontier League’s Sussex County Miners in a trade on Nov. 6. The 29-year-old reliever posted a 1.58 ERA in 37 appearances for Sussex County in 2019.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31