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MLB To Require Vaccinations For All Minor League Players Prior To 2022 Season

By Mark Polishuk | October 6, 2021 at 2:39pm CDT

Major League Baseball is preparing a policy that will require all minor league players to be vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the start of next season, Yahoo Sports’ Hannah Keyser reports.  The news comes just a few weeks after the league’s requirement that all players participating in the Arizona Fall League be vaccinated.

Because minor leaguers aren’t part of the players union until they have actually played in the big leagues, MLB can issue mandates covering all of minor league baseball even though some players within the farm system have already made appearances in The Show and/or are on 40-man rosters.  The league would need the MLB Players Association to agree to a vaccination policy to cover all union members and MLB players in 2022 and beyond, and it could be that the AFL and minor league edicts are the first steps towards stricter policies the Commissioner’s Office could be planning for the coming season.

Many players have already received the vaccine, of course, and 24 of the 30 teams have already had their in-season COVID-19 protocols relaxed since 85 percent of players, coaches, and medical staff were fully vaccinated.  Getting any of the 30 teams to a 100 percent vaccination rate (or even the six holdout teams to an 85 percent rate) might not be possible, however, without MLB and the MLBPA signing off on a mandate covering all Major League personnel.

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86 Comments

  1. CubsWin108

    4 years ago

    *activates doomsday shelter*

    7
    Reply
    • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

      4 years ago

      Genetics 101

      1
      Reply
  2. Deleted Userrr

    4 years ago

    Why not Major League players?

    4
    Reply
    • expos_back_by_2025

      4 years ago

      Union

      Reply
    • George Ruth

      4 years ago

      The MLB Players can not be ordered to be fully vaccinated without MLB & the MLBPA agrees to it & Since the MLBPA does not represent minor leaguers they don’t have a say

      1
      Reply
  3. jbeerj

    4 years ago

    *Comments Closed*

    3
    Reply
    • a37H

      4 years ago

      -said on an open comment board

      8
      Reply
  4. DarkSide830

    4 years ago

    again, not commenting on the validity of vaccination, but you know this is a product of them not being unionized.

    12
    Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      4 years ago

      Yes, of course. My question is whether they will take into consideration any prior health issues that may prohibit vaccination. Moreover, what plans do they have in place to deal with anyone that falls into this category? Daily testing, etc.

      1
      Reply
      • Alex Snow

        4 years ago

        People who can’t get the vaccine for legitimate health reasons are an extreme minority. I seriously doubt any of them are healthy enough to be playing professional sports in the first place.

        Reply
    • mrkinsm

      4 years ago

      Not really, MLB is going to get a mandate for vaccines soon enough.

      1
      Reply
  5. Rangers29

    4 years ago

    Bold move, Mark. Bold move.

    We’ll see how it plays out in the 2nd half.

    1
    Reply
  6. Kayrall

    4 years ago

    MLBPA should strike in support of the minor leaguers.

    14
    Reply
    • Joe says...

      4 years ago

      They should strike in support of the people trying to take their jobs? Let me know how that goes.

      10
      Reply
    • outinleftfield

      4 years ago

      They can’t. That is not one of the conditions that is spelled out in the CBA.

      1
      Reply
  7. Curly Was The Smart Stooge

    4 years ago

    Yes! Lets get this genetic mixed bag of nuts, back to function mode.

    6
    Reply
    • paddyo furnichuh

      4 years ago

      Are the mixed nuts alter or unsalted? Also, are the fancy nuts?

      Reply
      • paddyo furnichuh

        4 years ago

        Salted* or

        Reply
        • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

          4 years ago

          Salted* or…….

          Stem cell research? Do you know what’s in your cheerios or in your mandatory vax?

          6
          Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          4 years ago

          I don’t know what’s in either and I’m scared to find out.

          3
          Reply
  8. Bochys Retirement Fund

    4 years ago

    Comments open? This will be more heinous than post Taco Bell dumps.

    3
    Reply
    • Smacky

      4 years ago

      I don’t think so. If someone can read and understand all the advanced stats in baseball I think they can look at the numbers re: the vaccines and see how stacked the favor-abilities for them are. There aren’t nearly as many anti-vaxxers as it seems. They’re just really loud and willing to be wild a-holes.

      18
      Reply
      • TomahawkChop

        4 years ago

        Smacky, reading baseball stats and researching to see how wrong you are are two totally different things.

        1
        Reply
  9. gary55wv

    4 years ago

    MLB sure takes it to the young men in the minors. I guess if you are not an elite and destined to play down below, you have to put up with this stuff. If I was younger and talented, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

    Reply
  10. hennigplex

    4 years ago

    What a joke

    7
    Reply
    • Travis’ Wood

      4 years ago

      The joke is that people won’t get the vaccine. Too scared of what will happen. Yet these people are often eating incredibly unhealthy food with zero regard for their health. In reality they just don’t have functioning brains. Those of us who do have gotten the vaccine and moved on with our lives. Get over it, or stay inside. Nobody cares.

      6
      Reply
      • Halo11Fan

        4 years ago

        My wife’s sister would not get vaccinated, caught Covid, got very sick, went to the hospital and had no issue taking the Covid cocktail, which is far less tested than the vaccine.

        I think people are stupid. If you are willing to take the cocktail then why not get vaccinated so you don’t have to take the cocktail?

        11
        Reply
        • Travis’ Wood

          4 years ago

          I have heard many similar stories from people in hospitals. These morons won’t take the vaccine but once they get covid they’ll take whatever the doctors give them at the hospital. Because anti vaxxers are dumb

          7
          Reply
        • HalosHeavenJJ

          4 years ago

          I have an aunt in the same boat. Perfect candidate for the vax, high health risk, but went down the misinformation rabbit hole and could’ve died.

          It sucks seeing people not protect themselves, especially loved ones.

          2
          Reply
        • outinleftfield

          4 years ago

          Whole section of my family are anti-vaxxers that live up in Idaho. They all went down the rabbit hole of misinformation and became YouTube and Facebook educated medical professionals. All 9 of them caught COVID in the last week. My cousin is in the hospital for the 2nd time and was intubated today. The 1st time the hospital was so full that they sent her home a few hours after admitting her with an oxygen tank and said you are not in critical condition so go home. Her son in law was admitted last night coughing up blood. Haven’t heard an update on him yet. His youngest son had his O2 saturation levels drop to 64 today, but apparently that is not sick enough yet to even be admitted to the hospital. The person that convinced them to move to Idaho because they would be “freer up here”, his words, not mine, had a heart attack last Saturday and because all the ICU beds were filled with COVID patients, he was stuck in the emergency room waiting for someone to die in the ICU. Instead he died.

          1
          Reply
        • The-Two-Germanys

          4 years ago

          How much of this incredibly detailed story holds up under the same kind of cross-examination its author has subjected to others?

          1
          Reply
  11. User 4095290658

    4 years ago

    Common sense prevails.

    8
    Reply
  12. clrrogers

    4 years ago

    It’ll be interesting to see if any high profile minor leaguers sit out the season rather than get vaccinated.

    4
    Reply
    • Mr. E Team

      4 years ago

      Wiggins is that you?

      2
      Reply
    • CalcetinesBlancos

      4 years ago

      Hahahahahaha, sit out the season? The only chance of that happening is if they start a gofundme first so that they can loot a bunch of suckers out of their money in the name of “freedom” or some other nonsense.

      2
      Reply
  13. 66TheNumberOfTheBest

    4 years ago

    Lucky for the minor leaguers, the vaccines are free.

    They won’t be forced to choose between Ramen noodles and Moderna.

    9
    Reply
  14. Halo11Fan

    4 years ago

    It’s a business. Private Businesses can do that. The public can decide if this is good or bad and spend their money accordingly. I believe that should be true for Hobby Lobby, Walmart, NFL football teams or Chick fil ‘a.

    It’s not up to us or government to enforce their beliefs on Private Businesses.

    8
    Reply
    • Rayland#1

      4 years ago

      Exactly.

      1
      Reply
    • Joe says...

      4 years ago

      The Supreme Court has ruled differently.

      4
      Reply
      • Faith in the Padres

        4 years ago

        Supreme court has also said stuff like forced sterilization of people with mental issues was acceptable as well. Think we can all agree its not acceptable to steriliza people with down syndrome against their will.

        3
        Reply
        • Halo11Fan

          4 years ago

          I think there are a number of issues the Supreme Court has botched.

          But my personal belief is most people are pretty enlightened today. If a company wants to alienate 90% of consumers and call out the other 10 percent who support that business. That’s fine.

          What amazes me is how much power the woke have when 90 percent of the population knows they are nuts.

          3
          Reply
        • Jonny5

          4 years ago

          As my dad always told me growing up, it’s the empty cans that make the most noise.

          4
          Reply
        • Joe says...

          4 years ago

          Not saying what my beliefs are. Just saying they have ruled on this and have years of precinct on the matter.

          2
          Reply
        • CalcetinesBlancos

          4 years ago

          What is “the woke?” You seem really into it since you mention it in every comment, so you might as well spill the beans on these heroes of yours.

          Reply
        • Faith in the Padres

          4 years ago

          Right right. “The supreme court is all knowing! Except when they get stuff wrong throughout history that turned out to be some really messed up stuff”.

          Supreme court also paved the way for putting japanese americans into camps. Fred Korematsu vs. United States. There was precedent after all.

          Look how that turned out 40 years later.

          Im waiting for the “if you or a loved one was mandated to take the covid19 vaccine and suffered complications you may be entitled to damages” commercials in a couple decades.

          2
          Reply
        • Pete'sView

          4 years ago

          Speaking of “botched,” CITIZENS UNITED.

          1
          Reply
  15. baseballguy_128

    4 years ago

    It is so sad that this is happening

    12
    Reply
    • Travis’ Wood

      4 years ago

      Lol cry more. Just get the vaccine like those of us with functioning brains. I promise you we haven’t grown 3 arms yet. You’ll be ok little guy

      4
      Reply
      • tuna411

        4 years ago

        @rols…. internet gives you courage. in public, you are a mouse, this I am sure of.

        4
        Reply
        • CalcetinesBlancos

          4 years ago

          You’re projecting Tuna.

          2
          Reply
      • TomahawkChop

        4 years ago

        Rols, someone with a functioning brain would realize that anything being pushed this hard worldwide by tyrannical governments, especially considering it’s still not gained anything more than emergency use status a yr later, would stay far away. Go educate yourself because it’s obvious your MSM overlords are all you know.

        2
        Reply
  16. kyzr

    4 years ago

    Awful.

    5
    Reply
  17. tedtheodorelogan

    4 years ago

    I’d inject myself full of cat piss right now if it meant I never had to wear a mask again.

    1
    Reply
  18. Mr. E Team

    4 years ago

    There is nothing controversial about the various covid19 vaccines. They are safe and effective. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something. Probably corporate tax breaks Or pillows.

    13
    Reply
  19. titanic struggle

    4 years ago

    Complete BS, in my humble opinion. If MLB continues down this path of eventually mirroring the NFL, I’ll be completely done with the game I love. There are plenty of outdoor things to do, fishing, hunting, camping and water sports that could fill my time!

    6
    Reply
    • Travis’ Wood

      4 years ago

      Lol imagine stopping watching baseball because they want to people to get a vaccine. That’s about the softest most snowflake comment I’ve ever seen. Literally LOLing

      11
      Reply
    • Travis’ Wood

      4 years ago

      And you’re against people helping others by getting vaccinated but you’re for killing innocent animals for sport. You sound like a real class act.

      4
      Reply
      • Chad623

        4 years ago

        18 comments and counting for you on this article. Get a job or a hobby.

        7
        Reply
        • Travis’ Wood

          4 years ago

          You were the one who went through and literally counted a strangers comments LOL

          2
          Reply
        • ZabbiaI

          4 years ago

          All you have to do is click find on page and type in a few letters of your username. Took a whole 5 seconds to see you have 25 comments here.
          Keep telling people they’re dumb, you definitely aren’t projecting or anything.

          5
          Reply
        • hammerthyme

          4 years ago

          Pfizer’s PR department working overtime today lol.

          3
          Reply
        • outinleftfield

          4 years ago

          That is ironic. Hilarious too. You have so little life that you COUNTED his posts?

          1
          Reply
        • ZabbiaI

          4 years ago

          Learn to read, Einstein.

          Reply
    • outinleftfield

      4 years ago

      Goodbye. Don’t let the door hit you on your way out.

      Reply
  20. vtadave

    4 years ago

    I’m just here for the intelligent conversation that is sure to follow.

    – No one

    7
    Reply
    • Pete'sView

      4 years ago

      This all started way at the top of comments, when someone called mandated vaccinations “Fascist.” Thus we tumble into the abyss, rather than talk baseball.

      1
      Reply
  21. mike156

    4 years ago

    You knew where this one was going to go. It’s as toxic as so many other subjects where the comments have to be turned off. I understand why people might not want to take the vaccine. I don’t understand why they don’t understand why a business might not want to hire them. I’m not sure why a vaccine or even mask mandate, done in the private sector, wouldn’t be appropriate. For that matter, a private business might go the opposite direction, and refuse employment or entry to those who want to wear a mask. Potential customers and employees can then choose if that suits them.

    2
    Reply
    • Jon429

      4 years ago

      Yep, it’s almost as if all the anti-vax commenters on here are MiLB players. If they aren’t then why the hell would they care so much that MLB is mandating the vaccine? It doesn’t affect them and they clearly don’t care about anyone other than themselves, so what’s the big deal?

      1
      Reply
  22. terrymesmer

    4 years ago

    @Faith in the Padres

    > state governments spent 2020 destroying

    Red state governments spent 2021-2 depopulating their states with misinformation and top-down science-denying policies.

    3
    Reply
  23. Aaron 13

    4 years ago

    Probably should have left the comment section closed on this one.

    2
    Reply
  24. hammerthyme

    4 years ago

    Hopefully this won’t result in more Heston Kjerstad situations, but it probably will.

    Oh well, at least Pfizer and their investors are making a fortune I guess.

    2
    Reply
    • outinleftfield

      4 years ago

      Most people get myocarditis from COVID. it is rare to get acute myocarditis from the vaccine. So far 2 of 3480 players in the minors have been diagnosed with myocarditis since the beginning of the 2020 season. Its not known if Kjerstad got it from vaccination or from being infected with COVID. The only other known case in baseball was the Red Sox farmhand Rodriguez who got it from catching COVID. Prior to COVID, an average of 3.1 million people per year in the US were diagnosed with myocarditis. nearly all from catching a virus. Through 2019 there were an average of 75 deaths of athletes per year from myocarditis.

      Reply
  25. 2012orioles

    4 years ago

    Immoral to force it imo

    5
    Reply
    • despicable_you

      4 years ago

      I didn’t take the shot, however a private corporation has the right to do so.

      1
      Reply
      • 2012orioles

        4 years ago

        Didn’t say they didn’t. Illegal and immoral are two different things

        2
        Reply
    • outinleftfield

      4 years ago

      Its immoral to put others at risk by not getting the vaccine when its both safe and effective.

      1
      Reply
      • Faith in the Padres

        4 years ago

        Also immoral to refuse to test vaccinated people daily/weekly when we know they can catch and spread covid. Its very disingenuous and hypocritical as well.

        “We care about covid!”

        – are you going to test everyone regardless of vaccination status and ensure covid positive people are quarantined and given treatment?

        “No. That costs too much money! We care more about money!”

        2
        Reply
  26. HalosHeavenJJ

    4 years ago

    I grew up with small business owner parents. I know how much businesses depend on their employees and having some miss weeks at a time when the studies clearly show it could be prevented is a bad thing.

    That said, although there’s really no logical reason for 99% of the players to not protect themselves, forcing them to do so or lose their jobs is a tough line.

    Most likely the vast majority of these guys do take their health seriously and have already been vaccinated. But this will be an issue for a few.

    Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      4 years ago

      A close family member of mine recently opened a private dental clinic. She employs a young, unvaccinated, and talented assistant. I’ve met her and she’s great. This employee was about to begin a very competitive specialty evening training program this fall until the school required vaccines. She dropped out. She was hired with an understanding that she would have to cut back on work hours at times for studying. I can’t wrap my head around this and I won’t try to.

      Reply
    • outinleftfield

      4 years ago

      As a small business owner I can tell you that the liability of having one of your employees pass on a disease to a customer far outweighs losing a few employees that are too afraid to get a vaccine.

      1
      Reply
      • Faith in the Padres

        4 years ago

        Yet youre ok with your vaccinated employees passing the virus along to potential customers. Are you requiring daily or weekly testing for your vaccinated employees? Cause if youre not. You dont really care about safety since vaccinated people can catch and spread covid.

        2
        Reply
  27. Pete'sView

    4 years ago

    Not fascist, but rather a sensible scientific protection for all the people in this country. Anything less is simply holding one person’s “personal freedom” above the health of everyone else.

    4
    Reply
  28. desertbull

    4 years ago

    Stupid

    1
    Reply
  29. User 355748524

    4 years ago

    Good for them, I suppose.

    1
    Reply
  30. Curveball1984

    4 years ago

    “The vaccines work and are completely safe” — says the drug dealer.

    2
    Reply
    • snakqadj

      4 years ago

      Do you mean the nurse??? I was fully vaccinated by February and I’m perfectly healthy.

      Reply

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