Jays in talks about playing in Baltimore

TORONTO — The Baltimore Orioles and the state of Maryland have had talks about the team sharing Oriole Park at Camden Yards with the displaced Toronto Blue Jays amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Blue Jays are looking for a Major League park after the Canadian government declined to allow them to play in Toronto, and the state of Pennsylvania nixed a deal to play in Pittsburgh because of frequent travel throughout the United States.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said there have been talks about the state hosting the Blue Jays.

“We’ve had some discussions with the Orioles,” he said.

“I don’t know the final details of that. Obviously, we’re watching our numbers very carefully every day. We’re concerned about the spikes in other states. I know major baseball is also taking a look at it day to day.”

Michael Ricci, a spokesman for Hogan, said discussions are still happening “but we don’t have any announcement to make right now just yet.”

Ricci added: “Maryland Stadium Authority is talking to the Orioles about it, so that’s where the discussions currently are on the state level. Then, I think, once they’ve kind of come to an agreement on something, they’ll bring it to the governor and the health department.”

An official who asked not to be named said the Orioles are engaged in talks with the Blue Jays about playing “home games” at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The official said the Orioles are trying to help Toronto however they can, but there are lots of logistics to be worked through. The Blue Jays would build a makeshift clubhouse in the stadium concourse in one scenario, the official said. The official added that the Blue Jays are working on other contingencies.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said this week his team had more than five contingency plans for a home stadium and was in talks with other teams.