John Smoltz and Al Leiter are not making in-studio appearances for MLB Network after refusing to get the coronavirus vaccine, according to multiple reports.
MLB Network’s policy making it mandatory for all employees to be vaccinated took effect Wednesday. Smoltz and Leiter will still do analysis for studio shows, but it will be remote instead of from the network’s Secaucus, New Jersey, studio.
The New York Post was the first to report the story. MLB Network declined to comment in an email to the AP.
Smoltz, 54, is also the lead analyst on Fox’s coverage of the MLB, making the calls on the biggest games, including the World Series.
Leiter, 55, is also a Mets advisor.
Leiter has been a part of MLB Network since it went on the air in 2009. Smoltz joined MLB Network the following year and has been a part of Fox’s top MLB team since 2016.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.