Citing the rising number of coronavirus cases in southwestern Pennsylvania, state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine yesterday announced that Pennsylvania will not allow the Toronto Blue Jays to play their scheduled “home” games at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
In a prepared statement, Levine said, “To add travelers to this region for any reason, including for professional sports events, risks residents, visitors and members of both teams.” Pirates President Travis Williams said ”…we understand and support Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision.” The Blue Jays are still without a home stadium after the Canadian government denied them the use of their ballpark, the Rodgers Center in Toronto, due to coronavirus restrictions.
On the field at PNC Park yesterday, the Pirates dropped their third and final exhibition game, losing 5-3 to Cleveland. Starter Derek Holland gave up three runs on five hits, including a home run, in three innings. Josh Bell hit a two-run homer for the Pirates and Jarrod Dyson doubled in a run.
Reliever Keone Kela has coronavirus and will miss the start of the season. Manager Derek Shelton revealed the diagnosis yesterday. Kela is on the ten-day injury list. He’s not been with the team since the start of summer camp.
Also on the Pirates’ coronavirus case list are outfielder Socrates Brito, who is now back with the team; third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who has been sent to the taxi squad workouts in Altoona; and outfielder Gregory Polanco and pitcher Blake Cederlind, who remain on the injured list.
MLB
The Major League season begins today with two games on the schedule. The defending champion Washington Nationals host the Yankees at 7, and the Giants visit the Dodgers at 10.
The Dodgers yesterday announced a 12-year, $365 million contract agreement with outfielder Mookie Betts. The deal will take effect next year, with Betts playing this year under the terms of the $27 million one-year contract he signed before being traded to LA from the Red Sox. Prorated, Betts will make $10 million this year in the shortened season. It’s the second-largest contract in MLB history, after Mike Trout’s deal with the Angels. Trout announced yesterday that he will play this season, but will take off an unspecified period of time after the birth of his first child in a few weeks.
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