The Blue Jays will not be able to play their home games in Toronto this season, because the Canadian government considers it risky for players to travel to and from the United States, one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced in a statement Saturday that the federal government had rejected the Blue Jays’ request to play at the Rogers Center, confirming what an official familiar with the situation had previously told The Associated Press. That official spoke on condition of anonymity.
The team had received the green light from the city and Ontario provincial government to play regular-season games in their park, and was awaiting approval from Ottawa.
The other 29 major league clubs plan to play in their usual stadiums, without spectators, starting July 23, when the campaign will begin, shortened to 60 games due to the pandemic.
Mendicino told the AP that frequent trips to the United States, where COVID-19 cases are increasing, represent the biggest problem.
“There were serious risks if we went ahead with the Major League and Blue Jays proposal over the regular season, and therefore we concluded that this was not in the best interest of national interests,” Mendicino said.
“I understand that some people will be disappointed, but this decision cannot be made as if you were a fanatic. It should be taken with the health and safety of Canadians in mind. “
The Azulejos were notified of the measure through a phone call. The team’s alternate stadium for its home games is at its training facility in Dunedin, Florida, one of the states hardest hit by the virus. Players had said they preferred to play in Toronto.
Another option would be Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, where Toronto’s Triple-A affiliate plays. The property is located on the other side of the Niagara River, which marks the border with Canada.
Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro said players’ health is a concern in Florida. He noted that the team has spent more time examining Buffalo’s option in recent days, but cautioned that the stadium presents infrastructure challenges.
There is a lack of space in the clubhouse, which would make it difficult to keep the proper distance between players. However, Shapiro said that some players may have their lockers in the suites.
Also, Sahlen Field requires updating lighting and training facilities, Shapiro explained.
“Dunedin is the only place that is now 100 percent ready. But from a player’s health standpoint it presents some challenges, ”Shapiro said. “Buffalo is certainly a place that we have spent the most time in the last few weeks. There is nothing decided. There are infrastructure and facility challenges, which should meet Major League Baseball standards. And we have other real alternatives that we will continue to analyze and that could be better ”.
The leader refused to say which would be those other places that are contemplated. He said he was disappointed by the Canadian government’s decision, but indicated that he understood it.
Major League Baseball needed an exemption from the emergency law, which mandates that anyone entering Canada for non-essential duties must be quarantined for 14 days.
The border between Canada and the United States is closed to non-essential travel at least until August 21.
“Unlike preseason training, regular season games would require repeated travel across the US border by Blue Jays players and employees, as well as opposing teams. And especially worrying is that the Toronto Blue Jays would have to play in locations where there is a high risk of transmission of the virus, “said Mendicino.
“Based on the best available public health advice, we have concluded that required cross-border travel for major league games does not adequately protect the health and safety of Canadians. As a result, Canada is not going to issue a National Interest Waiver for the MLB regular season. “
“We have informed the Toronto Blue Jays. We remain willing to consider future postseason restart plans if the risk of virus transmission decreases. We wish the Blue Jays the best of luck at the start of the regular season, “added Mendicino.
COVID-19 cases are increasing in the United States while Canada has flattened the curve of the epidemic.
The Blue Jays will kick off the season on July 24 in Tampa Bay. His first home series was set for five days later against Washington. AP (HN)