Jays won’t play in Toronto
The Blue Jays won’t play their home games in Toronto this season because the Canadian government doesn’t think it’s safe for players to travel back and forth from the United States, one of the countries hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic.
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said Saturday the federal government denied the Blue Jays’ request to play at Rogers Centre. The team had been given clearance by city and provincial governments to play in its home stadium and was awaiting approval from the federal government. The other 29 Major League Baseball teams plan to play in their home ballparks — without spectators — when the pandemic-shortened 60-game season begins Thursday.
Mendicino said the frequent travel to the United States, where COVID-19 cases are surging, was the biggest issue.
The Blue Jays were informed via phone call. Their alternate sites for home games include their training facility in Dunedin, Florida, which is among the areas that are virus hotspots, as well as Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, which is home to their Class AAA affiliate and just across the Niagara River from Canada.
Freeman says he prayed for his life
Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, who tested positive for the coronavirus July 3 and returned to the team Friday, said he is happy to have a chance to play this season after a harrowing battle he initially thought he might not survive.
Freeman said he had a high temperature of 104.5 degrees early in his battle with the disease and prayed for his life.
‘‘I said a little prayer that night,’’ Freeman said in a video conference call. ‘‘I’ve never been that hot before. My body was really, really hot . . . . I said, ‘Please don’t take me,’ because I wasn’t ready.’’
‘Sheep’ Frazier playing it safe
Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier said he is brushing off the criticism he has heard for choosing to wear a mask while playing.
‘‘I got called a sheep by some people, but it’s all good . . . . I think it’s the right thing to protect myself, others around me and everyone else that everyone goes home to.’’
LeMahieu may not be ready for opener
Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu said he isn’t sure whether he’ll be ready to play in the season opener Thursday against the Nationals after missing much of camp because of a positive coronavirus test.
Tigers’ Zimmermann headed to 45-day IL
The Tigers said right-hander Jordan Zimmermann is going on the 45-day injured list because of a strained muscle in his right forearm, but manager Ron Gardenhire said he doesn’t need surgery.