Astros plan to hold Spring Training 2.0 at MMP

HOUSTON -- The Astros plan to hold Spring Training at Minute Maid Park if baseball resumes this summer, general manager James Click said Thursday.

While some clubs, like the Mets and Yankees, have indicated they would return to their Spring Training facilities in Florida if baseball gets the green light to start its season, the Astros would prefer the comforts of home. Minute Maid Park is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Last month, the Astros opened Minute Maid Park and their Spring Training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla., for limited workouts for players. Any players attending the workouts and staff followed strict protocols to protect themselves from the coronavirus. Houston was in the middle of Spring Training in mid-March when the coronavirus epidemic shut down the sport.

Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association have yet to come to an agreement about how to start the regular season, but it’s believed a restart of Spring Training would last three weeks. Spring Training 2.0 would likely be devoid of games unless the Astros choose to work out some exhibition contests with the Rangers, who have also indicated they will hold camp at new Globe Life Field in Arlington.

Many of the Astros’ key players live full-time in Houston, including Alex Bregman, George Springer, José Altuve, Carlos Correa, Lance McCullers Jr. and Josh Reddick.