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With the 2020 MLB season now on — at least for now — we’re hearing from the Brewers front office on what a return will look like.
Adam McCalvy has a string of tweets with updates, starting with details on when “Summer Camp” will begin — the 4th of July at Miller Park.
The Brewers' first workout will be July 4, David Stearns confirms. He expects 45 players to start. Workouts will be staggered throughout the day at Miller Park.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) June 26, 2020
Appleton will serve as the Brewers’ “second” training facility in the coming weeks for the additional players in their 60-player pool. That will include some of the organization’s top prospects, according to David Stearns, and all minor leaguers will continue to be paid through August, even if they aren’t a part of that expanded “taxi squad.”
The Brewers will pay Minor Leaguers' stipends through the end of August, essentially the conclusion of their usual season.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) June 26, 2020
As players get ready to return to Miller Park, Stearns said the Brewers did have “a small number” of people test positive for COVID-19, and those people didn’t show symptoms before testing positive. It wasn’t specified if those who were COVID-positive were players or staff.
Players do have the right to opt out of playing, but to this point, Stearns says no one has indicated they aren’t comfortable reporting.
On the business side of things, Rick Schlesinger says while the club would love to allow a small number of fans into Miller Park for games, it’s ultimately up to MLB and local health regulations. The Brewers will be reaching out to folks who have already bought tickets about refunds and credits in the next few days, according to Schlesinger.
And while you may not be able to physically go to the games — at least to start the season — you may still be able to be a face in the crowd.
Schlesinger says there will be some "major changes" on Brewers broadcasts as far as on-screen advertising and virtual signage. Brewers are also looking at fan cutouts for the stands, a la what the SF Giants have announced they're doing.
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) June 26, 2020