Tim Dominick/The State

In a press release Thursday morning, Major League Baseball announced their intent to pay Minor League Baseball players through May 31st or the start of the season. This announcement follow an announcement from earlier in the month when the MLB said it would pay their MiLB players through April 8th.

The statement reads that “MLB is taking this additional step to continue assistance for Minor League players and their families during the unexpected postponement of to the start of the season. All players will continue to receive medical benefits and may continue to use ant balance they have in the College Scholarship Plan or Continuing Education Plan.”

Furthermore, the statement goes on to announce “The exceptions to this plan are players who are signed to Major League contracts; players who are already receiving housing, food or other services from Clubs; and players on the Restricted, Voluntary Retired, Disqualified or Ineligible Lists.  In addition, each Club will make its own arrangements to provide support to players on Dominican Summer League rosters during the same period. As a procedural matter, Major League Baseball has informed Minor League Baseball that Major League Clubs are unable to supply their Minor League affiliates with players as a result of the national health emergency.  All MLB Clubs are now in the process of informing Minor League players of the suspension of their Uniform Player Contracts.  Today’s announcement provides funds for impacted eligible players during the delay.”

The Minor League Baseball season was originally scheduled to kick off on April 5 for full season teams.

Former Mets player Ty Kelly is part of a group that created Advocates for Minor Leaguers in an effort to help improve the livelihood of minor league players.