Former Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow are not eligible to work in Major League Baseball this season after they were suspended for their role in the team’s sign-stealing scandal, and some have wondered if their bans could be extended in the event that the 2020 season is shortened or canceled. That is apparently not going to happen.
Hinch and Luhnow will have their suspensions lifted at the start of the 2021 season even if this season is canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, ESPN’s Buster Olney reports. The suspensions run through the end of the 2020 postseason and are not tied to a specific number of games. The wording from commissioner Rob Manfred’s ruling was that the suspensions would be completed “following the completion of the 2020 World Series.”
While both Hinch and Luhnow will have to find new jobs, it’s possible that they may end up not actually missing any games. It remains unclear when sports leagues might resume play, though MLB reportedly has a date in mind.
Hinch is just 45, which is young for an MLB manager. He will likely find another job at some point, though it may not be until 2022 with the way the 2020 season is being impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. Teams may be hesitant to hire Hinch right away.
