Blue Jays to play in minor league ballpark amid pandemic

TORONTO — The displaced Toronto Blue Jays will play in a minor league ballpark in Buffalo, N.Y., this year after being turned down by the Canadian government and blocked from playing in Pittsburgh by the state of Pennsylvania.

The Blue Jays’ home for the season will be Sahlen Field, where the Class AAA affiliate Buffalo Bisons usually play.

The team had been looking for a major league ballpark for its home games after the Canadian government wouldn’t allow it to play in Toronto but the search was unsuccessful. Pennsylvania health officials rejected a deal to play in Pittsburgh because of rising COVID-19 cases there.

The team also held talks with Baltimore about Camden Yards, but the Blue Jays didn’t want to wait on Maryland officials with their season starting.

“Baltimore never got to a situation to where we were denied,” Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro said. “At some point, continuing to explore and look at an option like Baltimore was not going to be a risk we could take.”

The Blue Jays’ first game in Buffalo will be either July 31 against Philadelphia or Aug. 11 against Miami.

Dodgers cautious with Kershaw

Los Angeles ace Clayton Kershaw’s back issue that forced him to miss his start is improving and he hopes to return soon.

Manager Dave Roberts said that Kershaw had an MRI after tweaking his back three days earlier. It showed no structural damage. “That’s the most important thing,” Roberts said. “We’re all really encouraged.”

Kershaw gave no timetable for his return.

Boston ace out with heart issue

After recovering from coronavirus, lefthanded pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez has been sidelined with a heart condition, according to reports.

Rodriguez’ ailment is believed to be myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart often caused by viral infections.

The complications, which manager Ron Roenicke described as “minor” will have him shut down for now, with a follow-up evaluation in a week.

With Chris Sale out after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Rodriguez was expected to be the staff ace.

Miami’s Alfaro out, will return

Catcher Jorge Alfaro went on the injured list before its season opener.

The team didn’t give a reason but said they expected Alfaro to return this season.

“We still plan on having him back, and still plan on big things for him,” manager Don Mattingly said.