AP

NEW YORK (AP) — If Major League Baseball can't play in front of fans at a team's home ballpark because of the virus outbreak, the sport's first preference likely would be to switch games to the visiting team's stadium if possible, a person familiar with the deliberations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because no decisions have been made.

The MLB season starts on March 26. Among the games on opening day is Texas at Seattle — a city that has been hit hard by the virus.

MLB anticipates government officials will decide whether it is safe to play in front of fans in each city. If changes to the schedule are necessary, MLB would make determinations at the point when a ballpark has been ruled out.

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"I hope it doesn't turn into us missing games or pushing scheduled games back," Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis said.

Baseball's preference is to play in front of fans and not in empty stadiums, the person said familiar with the deliberations said. Players and management don't like the lack of energy in empty ballparks.

"It wouldn't be the same. It really wouldn't," said Dave Martinez, manager of World Series champion Washington Nationals.

Flipping home and road dates is easier to do at the start of the season, when there are many series between teams who face each other later in the year.

The Rangers are scheduled to open Globe Life Field, their new retractable roof ballpark, against the Los Angeles Angels on March 31.

Texas general manager Jon Daniels said Monday there hadn't been any discussion with MLB or the Mariners about swapping home dates for that opening series between AL West rivals, but said the new ballpark would be ready if it is needed.

Exhibition games against St. Louis are scheduled at the new stadium on March 23 and 24.

Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos said Tuesday he is "a little bit" concerned about traveling to face the Mariners. The Seattle area is dealing with the deadliest COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

"I know the season starts in Seattle, and we know how Seattle is right now," Chirinos said. "That’s 2½ weeks from now, so I think we’re going to hear some news when we’re getting close to opening day."