Report: MLB expected to send return-to-play proposal to MLBPA within a week

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Major League Baseball is expected to send a proposal to the MLBPA within a week proposing a return to play to begin the 2020 season, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Teams have been encouraging players to begin preparing for a spring training in mid-June prior to a season that could begin in July, Passan adds.

If a season were to begin in July, 80-to-100 games could reportedly be played and teams would have active rosters of 30 players with up to 50 in total available for use.

Instead of playing games in Arizona or using a multi-city hub as previously reported, Passan's sources tell him "there is momentum" toward contests being played in home stadiums, which would allow players to spend more time with their families. Additionally, a three-to-four week spring training at teams' home stadiums has become an appealing option.

Player salaries and health risks should someone contract COVID-19 continue to be discussed, but MLB needs approval from the players' union and team owners, as well as the go-ahead from top health officials and the White House, before moving forward with a plan, according to Passan's sources.

The 2020 MLB season has been on hiatus since March because of the coronavirus outbreak.