Jameson Taillon: No Pirates tested for coronavirus as MLB shuts down spring training camps

Now that MLB has suspended spring training camps and delayed the start of the season, Pittsburgh Pirates players have to decide whether to stay at spring training, return home or to Pittsburgh.

At a time of great uncertainty for Major League Baseball, Pirates MLB Players Association representative Jameson Taillon confirmed one important detail in a conference call with reporters Friday.

No Pirates players have needed to be tested for coronavirus.

The Pirates held a team meeting Friday with general manager Ben Cherington, manager Derek Shelton and director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk to discuss the next steps on how to handle coronavirus pandemic.

“Guys went around and kind of got some things off their chest or asked good questions,” Taillon said. “At this point, there’s been no need to test anybody. We’re all healthy — thank God — but I think MLB and MLBPA have discussed options for getting guys tested and making sure there’s a treatment plan in place.”

Taillon said one topic of clubhouse conversation was the “weird” feeling surrounding the Pirates playing a Grapefruit League game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon at LECOM Park — and finishing it even after MLB announced it would suspend spring-training games.

“I’m just happy that everyone was healthy,” Taillon said. “Once that news broke, everybody was saying it was pretty weird to be out there. … It would have been a shame if someone had got hurt, but, as far as I know, everyone was checked out today and everyone felt good. We avoided something there.”

The decision of whether to stay or leave camp is complicated, Taillon said, because several players want to be with their pregnant wives and close to their primary health-care providers. Others have housing issues, with leases only through the end of spring training. And there are players who don’t know where to go, as they are on minor league deals and don’t know if they will make the 26-man major league roster or be assigned to the minors.

Taillon, who has a yearlong lease in Bradenton, will stay put to rehabilitate from Tommy John surgery on his right arm.

“For me personally, the best treatment I’ll get will be here because my elbow doesn’t know there’s a virus going around. I have to look out for that, too,” Taillon said. “I’m looking out for my safety, but I do like the idea of guys having the option to go home because so much is up in the air right now.”

There is discussion MLB could still attempt to play a 162-game schedule, with missed games tacked on at the back end of the season. Taillon also said it is too early to speculate on an abridged spring training schedule or attempt to play a full season when MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and the MLBPA determine it is safe to play.

But Taillon noted relief pitchers were close to throwing in back-to-back games, and starters were building up to throwing 100 pitches, and it will take time to get them game-ready.

“If we’re going to shut this thing down, we’re going to need ample time to build it all back up again and do it the right way, looking out for guys’ health on the field also, after all of this,” Taillon said.

“I’m not sure exactly what a season would like, but at this point, obviously, we’re going to be pretty far behind schedule.”

The MLBPA also has concerns over pay, especially after the NBA Players Association warned players about the league’s “doomsday pay provision” in the collective bargaining agreement that could free owners from paying a percentage of their salaries.

“Obviously, we are all blessed to be big-league baseball players. Some are in different situations than others. Depending on how long we’re out for, guys should be OK,” Taillon said. “That being said, I know from the Players Association side, they’ve got some money in their reserve. I’ll be keeping a close eye on what happens.

“People are concerned about paychecks and money. That’s just the reality of it. I think a lot of guys are thinking about the workers, too, and the minor leaguers who are in different circumstances than the big-league side. It’s a conversation being had, but I don’t think people are quite as concerned about that right now.”

Taillon said Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love pledging to donate $100,000 to displaced arena workers during the sports shutdown was a topic of conversation among Pirates players.

“But there’s nothing quite set in place right now because there’s so much uncertainty with everybody about where they’re going and where they’re sleeping tonight,” Taillon said.

“Guys are definitely thinking about all those workers. We understand that this game affects much more than just us.”

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