Los Angeles Angels: Coronavirus precautions and weekend news

It was a busy weekend for news about the Los Angeles Angels, so let’s get you caught up on everything you might have missed.

We are 17 days away from Opening Day!

Coronavirus: As of right now, MLB plans to start the season on time despite the ongoing concerns about the spread of coronavirus. Angels newly-signed third baseman Anthony Rendon says he is hesitant and aware of the risk players face in signing autographs, while understanding it’s unlikely he gets sick. Players have to consider the safety of fans, as well as their family members. Mike Trout recently announced his wife’s pregnancy. Everyone has reason to be cautious.

"“We don’t want to get anybody ill, because we don’t want this place shut down for 14 days,” says manager Joe Maddon. “So, you gotta play by the rules.”"

The commissioner Rob Manfred is expected to speak to major league owners on Monday.

Opening Day Starter: Andrew Heaney was named the starter for the Halos’ opener in Houston on March 26. The left-hander will be the fifth different Opening Day starter for the Angels over the past six years. Read more here.

Revenge on the Astros: The Angels will be the first time to face the Astros in a regular season game following the sign-stealing scandal going public. Opening Day starter Andrew Heaney was one of the most outspoken critics of the ‘Stros’ cheating ways. However, Joe Maddon told reporters over the weekend that he plans to instruct his players not to throw at the Astros. Read more here.

No hard feelings: Kole Calhoun faced the Los Angeles Angels for the first time since signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and despite the Angels letting him walk, he says there is no hard feelings. Read more here.

Griffin Canning update: While the Angels will head into the 2020 season without Canning in their rotation after the young starter received biological injections in Los Angeles, Canning is optimistic that he won’t require surgery. Read more here.

Angel Stadium sale: A proposed agreement to keep the Angels in Anaheim through the sale of Angel Stadium has been called into a question by a lawsuit filed on behalf of local residents. Read more here.

Game action: The Angels played two two split-squad match-ups on Friday and Sunday, and hosted the Diamondbacks in Tempe on Saturday. It was a weekend of tie baseball games (the strangest outcome possible). Los Angeles lost one split game and tied the other against Kansas City on Friday, a game in which Mike Trout hit his first home run of the spring. They tied Arizona on Saturday. And they played to another tie on Sunday while losing their other split-squad game against the Reds.