Citing Zika concerns, MLB moves Pirates-Marlins series out of Puerto Rico
The two-game series scheduled for May 30-31 will instead be played in Miami.
By
Dayn Perry
•
1 min read
On Friday, MLB and the MLBPA jointly announced that the upcoming two-games series between the Pirates and Marlins, which had been scheduled to be played in Puerto Rico, has been relocated because of growing concerns about the Zika virus. Instead, the May 30-31 series will be played in Marlins Park in Miami. From the press release:
The Players Association requested that Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. relocate the games after numerous players expressed concerns about contracting and potentially transmitting the Zika virus to their partners. Players and staff of both Clubs received full briefings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) science staff regarding the risks associated with the Zika virus, and the recommended precautions for travelers including those with partners who are pregnant or attempting to conceive. After discussing the issue with all involved parties, and consulting with federal and Puerto Rican government officials at the highest levels, Commissioner Manfred decided that the players who objected to the trip because of their specific family situations should not be forced to travel to Puerto Rico. Because too many regulars on both Clubs fell into that category, Commissioner Manfred had no choice but to relocate the games.
In lieu of the two Pirates-Marlins games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, MLB will conduct "several youth baseball and community events in Puerto Rico later this month, which will be attended by Commissioner Manfred and several former MLB players." As well, MLB and the MLBPA will donate to the CDC Foundation initiative to control and eradicate the Zika virus in Puerto Rico.
