CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — April is the time when baseball season should be in full swing. Instead, local pros Michael Cantu and Aaron Hernandez are at home.
"I haven't spent an Easter with my family since high school," said Cantu, a catcher in the San Diego Padres organization.
As the MLB season remains suspended during the COVID-19 outbreak, baseball players are trying to find anyway possible to stay in shape and remain baseball ready.
For Hernandez, a pitcher in the Los Angeles Angels organization, keeping his arm loose is imperative.
"I'm just throwing everyday," Hernandez said. "I try to go for runs, stuff to stay in shape."
Both players should be in the middle of their seasons, instead they are spending time at home. Cantu even broke out the gear just to feel some sense of normal.
"It was pretty nice to finally get the gear back on," Cantu said.
One of the biggest questions facing all professional sports teams across the sports world: will franchises continue paying their employees if there is no revenue.
On Tuesday, both the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres made it official that they would pay their employees through the end of May.
"It is huge for the players," Hernandez said.
"As minor league players we don't make much money and we barely get by," Cantu said. "For them to help us out is a blessing."
For now, Cantu and Hernandez are finding any way possible to stay ready just in case the phone rings telling them the season is back on.
And luckily for them, Corpus Christi is a hot spot for baseball talent. If anyone wants a big league baseball workout, they are just a phone call away.
"I can call him and he can catch in the bullpen for me," Hernandez said.
Major League Baseball has been discussing ideas on how to start their season this summer. Minor League Baseball's season remains unsettled.
