Astros players and coaches have been advised to avoid shaking hands and exchanging times directly with fans at spring training as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The team released a statement Saturday morning announcing a change in its approach to autographs at spring training based on recommendations by Major League Baseball, the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.
"For the time being, Astros players will pre-sign items and will distribute them to fans," the statement says. "Items will be distributed periodically to fans before and during the game."
Fans at the Spring Training Signature Sundays will also no longer be able to bring personal items for players to autograph.
Instead, Astros players will sign a team provided item. Fan photos or items other than what the team provides will not be accommodated.
The Astros traveled to West Palm Beach, Florida for spring training in mid-February.
Two people who tested positive for coronavirus have died, Florida health officials announced late Friday. These are the first deaths on the East Coast linked to the virus
The Florida Department of Health said the two people had traveled overseas, but did not specify where they had traveled.
The health department says seven people in the state have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
There have been 17 deaths in the United States -- 14 in Washington state; two in Florida and one in California.
The number of cases worldwide is rising.
According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins, there have been more than 102,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. More than 57,000 people have recovered, and more than 3,400 people have died.
#Astros statement regarding player autographs at the ballpark during Spring Training.For more information visit: https://t.co/xmXghbPuSJ pic.twitter.com/tWW8oMgFxN
— Houston Astros (@astros) March 7, 2020
