MLB’s general manager meetings were halted due to a stomach virus. What do we know?

Rather than getting to down business during this week’s meetings, a number of MLB’s top executives spent time battling another challenge and one that resulted in bringing the whole thing to a premature close.

MLB’s general manager meetings prematurely ended by a stomach bug

According to reports earlier this week, an unknown virus laid siege to MLB’s general managers meetings this week in Scottsdale, Arizona. Indeed, it is understood that more than 30 of the 300 officials in attendance fell ill. Worse still is that by Wednesday that number reportedly increased to such an extent that the meetings were concluded a day early. Traditionally viewed as the unofficial beginning of the offseason, the meetings are usually a period during which execs discuss many aspects of the league, however, it seems more time was spent in the restroom this year than the boardroom.

To be clear, just about every team in the league gave a report of at least one case of the virus. Where the league office itself is concerned, there were eight individuals reported as being sick. Interestingly, it was the team doctors of the Arizona Diamondbacks who were assisting with treatment for those affected.

OK, but what caused the viral stomach issue for MLB officials?

Prior to Wednesday’s report, there was in fact an intense effort to understand what was the source of the fast-spreading symptoms, so much so in fact that MLB is said to have sent teams a memo asking for them to report illnesses in order to track the outbreak. The first take was food poisoning, as those in attendance did share a lunch buffet on Tuesday at the Omni Montelucia Resort where the event is being held. That option was later ruled out after some who did not partake in the communal meal also fell ill, meaning it’s almost certain that an infectious norovirus spread among them. If you’re wondering, the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the United States is norovirus which is results from fecal particles and spreads extremely easily. The normal means of transmission is via contaminated food, contact with an infected person, or contact with contaminated surfaces.

So, what happens now?

In light of the obvious problem caused by the viral infection, reports indicated that the general manager’s meetings were due to start once again on Thursday via Zoom. With that said, presential meetings will occur once again on December 4th, and run until the 7th in Nashville, Tennessee. For the purpose of context, the winter meetings in MLB are primarily reserved to discuss roster-related issues. Given how significant this offseason is set to be with the likes of Shohei Ohtani hitting free agency, baseball fans can only hope there will be no further bathroom-related delays.