Mariners moving opening seven games out of Seattle

The Mariners will move home games out of Seattle through the end of March following the state of Washington’s decision to ban large group events in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Seattle had been scheduled to open the season at T-Mobile Park with a fourgame series against Texas from March 26-29, then host Minnesota in a threegame series from March 30 through April 1.

The Mariners said Wednesday they are working with the commissioner’s office on alternative plans.

“While we hope to be back to playing baseball in Seattle as soon as possible, the health and safety of our community is the most important consideration,” the team said in a statement.

Seattle is scheduled to play a four-game series at Minnesota from April 2023 and at Texas from April 24-26.

GOLDSCHMIDT SIDELINED BY AILING ELBOW >> St. Louis first baseman Paul Goldschimdt will be out for several more games because of a sore right elbow.

Goldschmidt’s throwing was limited by the club during the start of spring training, and he made his first two exhibition starts as a designated hitter. He has not played since Sunday.

Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said Wednesday he expected the 32-year-old Goldschmidt to miss a couple more games.

The six-time All-Star is hitting .300 with two homers in 20 spring at-bats.

Goldschmidt hit .260 with 34 homers and 97 RBIs last year for the NL Central champions after the Cardinals

acquired him in an offseason trade with Arizona.

BRITTON BRUISES WRIST >> New York Yankees reliever Zack Britton has a bruised right wrist after getting hit by a line drive during a simulated game.

The Yankees said X-rays and a CT scan were both negative.

Britton was pitching in his second inning when he got hurt on the drive off the bat of Erik Kratz. The 32-year-old left-hander walked to shallow left field while holding his wrist. He kept his right arm still and appeared to be in pain while walking off the field with athletic trainer Gene Monahan.

METS 7, CARDINALS 3 >> Twotime NL Cy Young Award winner Jacob deGrom made his second start of spring training for New York, allowing only Matt Carpenter’s solo home run in four innings.

The Mets’ Jeff McNeil had two hits, driving in a run, scoring twice and raising his average to .462.

Carlos Martinez struggled for St. Louis, surrendering six runs on six hits and a walk in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out six.

MARLINS 3, YANKEES 1 >> Miami ace Sandy Alcantara turned in his best start in his fourth outing, pitching five innings and giving up a run on three hits and two walks. He struck out four.

NATIONALS 6, ASTROS 2 >> Stephen Strasburg started for Washington, allowing two hits and a run in five innings.

BRAVES 3, TWINS 2 >> Atalanta’s Max Fried pitched five scoreless innings on two hits and five walks.

BLUE JAYS 14, ORIOLES 2 >> Randal Grichuk homered twice and drove in five runs for Toronto.