As the nation continues to battle the ongoing COVID-19 global health pandemic, Major League Baseball and the MLB Players’ Association are reportedly working out the details on various “return scenarios”, as per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Earlier in the week (May 6, Twitter), former MLB infielder Trevor Plouffe passed along information from “multiple sources” regarding a possible leaguewide return to camp on June 10 and a — tentative, of course — Opening Day on July 1.

Both Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Jeff Passan of ESPN confirmed those potential return dates and alluded to a proposal being ready for presentation next week.

Both also cited industry sources as believing July to be overly optimistic considering the extremely contagious and potentially deadly nature of the coronavirus.

Rosenthal reported that players have already agreed to prorated contracts — one big hurdle down — and Heyman shed some more light on the situation on Friday, confirming that the league and the Players’ Association will “resume talks” next week.

The feasibility of certain aspects of baseball’s return is understandably still being worked out — health concerns and logistics stand out as hot-button items on the docket.

But, as per Heyman, increased divisional play and avoidance of cross-country flights are viable and potential exposure-limiting options that have been discussed.

Players have also made it known that they’d prefer to play in their home parks as opposed to their organization’s Spring Training facilities, an idea that was floated in recent weeks, which could keep traditional divisions intact as opposed to the extreme realignment that was being discussed.

Other possible changes that have been discussed, as per Heyman, are as follows:

  • expanded rosters
  • designated “taxi squads”
  • expanded playoffs
  • increased doubleheaders/fewer off days
  • the prohibition of spitting and/or high-fiving

With over six weeks of the 2020 season already lost and steadily-climbing COVID-related cases nationwide — as well as projections of over 3,000 COVID-related deaths per day in the U.S. by June 1 — any attempts to restart leaguewide baseball operations are contingency plans, at best.

Being prepared if-and-when it’s safe for baseball resume is prudent, no doubt. But rushing the game back amid mountains of risk will be an extremely slippery — and potentially hazardous — slope to climb.

We’ll keep you posted with new information as it breaks.