Twins players, because of virus threat, aren't signing for fans in Fort Myers

Bad news for fans at Twins spring camp: The team is instituting a no-physical-contact — including autographs — policy due to concerns about the impending threat of coronavirus.

March 5, 2020 at 5:19PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Bad news for fans at Twins spring camp: The team is instituting a no-physical-contact — including autographs — policy due to concerns about the impending threat of coronavirus.

(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Byron Buxton signed autographs on Feb. 20 at Hammond Stadium. Star Tribune photo by Carlos Gonzalez.

The team is considering ways to get autographs to fans, but hasn't yet finalized a plan of action.

The Twins held a team meeting this morning to hear from doctors about precautions. Players were told no high fives, no handshakes, no accepting sharpies from fans. The ushers and guards at the Century Link Complex were also alerted.

Major League Baseball sent a memo to teams and had phone calls earlier this week to answer questions about policies in dealing with the threat of COVID-19, the strain of coronavirus that has spread to the United States.

The Twins lineup:

Willians Astudillo, 3B

ADVERTISEMENT

Eddie Rosario, LF

Nelson Cruz, DH

Miguel Sano, 1B

Alex Avila, C

LaMonte Wade, RF

Royce Lewis, SS

Gilberto Celestino, CF

Nick Gordon, 2B

Homer Bailey, RHP

about the writer

about the writer

Phil Miller

Reporter

Phil Miller has covered the Twins for the Minnesota Star Tribune since 2013. Previously, he covered the University of Minnesota football team, and from 2007-09, he covered the Twins for the Pioneer Press.

See Moreicon

More from Twins

See More
card image
Renée Jones Schneider/The Minnesota Star Tribune

The Twins don’t plan to tear their roster down further, increasing the likelihood that their top players will remain on the team in 2026.

card image
card image