MLB Proposes Delaying Start to April 28, Cut to 154 Games

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball has proposed a one-month delay in starting spring training due to the novel coronavirus pandemic and pushing back opening day to April 28. That’s according to two people familiar with the plan who tell The Associated Press the regular season would be cut from 162 games to 154.

The playoffs would be expanded from 10 teams to 14 and the designated hitter would extend to the National League for the second straight season. In addition, MLB would keep the experimental rules for seven-inning doubleheaders and beginning extra innings with a runner on second base.