Las Vegas, NV (KXNT) - Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that the start of the 2021 Triple-A season will be delayed.
The Las Vegas Aviators, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, are now scheduled to begin the 2021 season on Thursday, May 6 against the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, at Las Vegas Ballpark.
For health and safety reasons, Commissioner Rob Manfred has decided to delay the Triple-A season by approximately four weeks.
Delaying the Triple-A season until May will increase the likelihood that Minor League players may be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine prior to the start of the season.
As a result, it will be necessary for Major League Clubs to utilize an alternate site arrangement for all Triple-A teams at the beginning of the season.
In addition, to the extent that Major League Clubs must replace players on their Active Roster in April as a result of Covid-19 infections, the replacement process can be accomplished more quickly and safely if the Triple-A players are located at the alternate sites.
The Aviators will announce further information regarding ticket policy in the coming days and the revised 2021 schedule when determined by MLB.