MLB policy would mandate vaccine for minor-league players in '22

MLB is finalizing a policy that "would require all minor-league players to be vaccinated before the 2022 season," according to Hannah Keyser of YAHOO SPORTS. Like other major American sports leagues, MLB "likely cannot mandate vaccines for major leaguers without buy-in from the players association." The 3,000-plus minor-league players that populate baseball's farm systems "do not have union representation, which allows the commissioner's office to issue mandates unilaterally." The expectation is that the league "will disseminate a policy for teams to implement that would require all minor leaguers to be vaccinated before reporting in spring 2022." Mets President Sandy Alderson said that the organization is "working with the unions that represent stadium staff to establish a vaccine mandate for next season, as well" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/6).