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Major League Baseball could make a return this summer following months of the coronavirus lockdown.

Depending on the negotiations, baseball could return in early July and fantasy baseball will be back as well.

The 2020 fantasy baseball season will likely be a far cry from what you’re used to. Here are five things to prepare for.

1. Fantasy baseball will be a sprint, not a marathon in 2020

As of June 1, the most recent reports suggest that the 2020 MLB season could be reduced from 162 games to 114 or 82 games.

One recent report says the season might be reduced to 50 games.

Likewise, the 2020 fantasy baseball season stands to be compressed as well.

Fantasy baseball leagues typically conduct regular season play for about 23 weeks, plus two to three weeks for playoffs.

That means fantasy baseball teams (particularly those in head-to-head leagues) will play in a regular season reduced to roughly 7 to 15 weeks.

By comparison, fantasy football seasons typically go for 14 regular season weeks.

The result is a condensed 2020 season that will completely alter the way most fantasy baseball teams are traditionally drafted.

Instead of aiming strongly for potential breakout stars or undervalued sleepers during your league’s draft, there should be a greater emphasis on reliable and safer players with a track record of success.

By following a more cautious and conservative strategy, it will be easier to develop a consistent team throughout the shortened 2020 season.

Most fantasy baseball seasons are riddled with winning and losing streaks. In 2020, a winning streak of just a few games could easily propel you into your league’s playoffs.

However, a losing streak in 2020 would likely block you from reaching the fantasy postseason.

It is important to get reliable players so that you can get off to a good start immediately.

Yes, you can select some breakout and sleeper players at the appropriate times in the draft, but don’t sacrifice a proven and predictable (shall we say, boring?) veteran player just to reach for a young player on a hunch.

In baseball terminology, instead of going all out and aiming for the fences in 2020, try to aim for a single or a double.

2. Expect no minor leagues

Although the minor league baseball season is not officially canceled yet, the expectation is that it will likely be suspended for 2020.

It is common for fantasy baseball teams to select a minor league prospect (or two prospects) during the draft with the hopes that the player would eventually make his way up to the majors during the season.

This has been part of a long-standing strategy to ensure that the next big prospect player is on your roster before anyone else in your league can grab him.

Without minor league baseball in 2020, this idea goes out the window.

Some reports suggest that the major league rosters will be expanded from 25 to 30 players so that squads can have prospects available in case of an injury.

There are also rumors about teams developing a taxi or practice squad comprised of 20 minor league prospects.

It might be wise in 2020 to draft a top prospect from the taxi squads and stash them on your bench.

3. Injuries will be more impactful

Injuries are a way of life in fantasy baseball. It’s common for fantasy baseball teams to be brimming with players on the disabled list from time to time.

Landing on the 60-day DL typically means that there’s still a chance that the player might return and play for the majority of the fantasy season, which is usually five months long.

But in a shortened 2020 season, landing on the 60-day DL effectively means that the player won’t be around for the remainder of the fantasy year.

As a result, you’ll probably end up dropping more injured players in 2020 than in any other season.

Additionally, there’s another way you might end losing more players to the disabled list in 2020: COVID-19.

Major League Baseball is proposing to frequently test their players for COVID-19 (to the tune of 10,000 per week).

It will be common in 2020 to lose some players for at least two weeks due to a positive COVID-19 test.

4. Revamp your cheat sheet or else

If you researched and created your fantasy baseball draft cheat sheet before the COVID-19 suspension in March, throw it out.

Likewise, if you had your fantasy draft months ago, I would suggest discarding the old one and conducting a new draft before the season starts.

The over three-month lockdown has changed the landscape of baseball in dramatic ways.

Some players who were injured and expected to begin the season on the disabled listed are now healthy, which means you should consider moving those players higher in your rankings.

Concerns over players with innings limits will likely be eliminated due to the shortened season.

Reports suggest that teams will only play opponents in their same geographic region, which means some players will have easier matchups and other players will now have more difficult games on the schedule.

Both the MLB and MLBPA reportedly agree on a universal DH for 2020, which means you’ll have to change your rankings for that position.

Also, some players with pre-existing medical conditions are rumored to potentially miss the entire season due to the pandemic. In MLBPA’s recent proposal, players deemed “high risk” due to medical circumstances, including those with family members who had pre-existing medical conditions, will be able to opt out of playing in 2020.

Basically, all of your draft prep cheat sheets — including information about busts and average draft position — need to be updated to reflect the new reality.

5. Your league’s rules will have to change

In order to comply with the condensed season, your fantasy baseball league will have to undergo some alterations.

Head-to-head leagues will encounter a regular season schedule that is nearly cut in half — unless your league gets innovative and institutes weekly doubleheaders.

Another consideration will be with your league’s trade deadline. Should you have a trade deadline in 2020? And if so, when?

Perhaps the most important advice regards tiebreakers for the playoffs.

Due to the condensed season, there will likely be several fantasy teams that are tied for playoff spots.

Before the season starts, it is incumbent on the participants in the fantasy league to come to an agreement over what the tiebreakers will be.

Failure to check on the tiebreakers could potentially call into question the integrity of the league.

Get everyone in the league on the same page regarding tiebreakers in order to have a worry-free — and hopefully fun — season.

Steven Lerner has been a journalist in the media for the past decade. He can be reached on Twitter at @Steven_Lerner.