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Pennsylvania rejects Blue Jays' plan to play home games in Pittsburgh

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

The Toronto Blue Jays are once again without a place to play home games during the 2020 season.

Pennsylvania's department of health announced Wednesday it will not allow the Blue Jays to play their home games at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, according to Rob Gillies of The Associated Press.

"In recent weeks, we have seen a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in southwestern Pennsylvania," state secretary of health Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement obtained by Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"To add travelers to this region for any reason - including for professional sports events - risks residents, visitors, and members of both teams. We know that this virus does not discriminate, and can even make professional athletes very sick. We are committed to protecting the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians."

A report that the Blue Jays would play their home contests in the Steel City during the shortened campaign surfaced late Tuesday, but the team must now explore alternative solutions.

One option would involve the Blue Jays traveling to the home site of their opponents and acting as the home team, reports ESPN's Buster Olney.

The Blue Jays were left without a home to host games after the Canadian government denied their request to play opposing teams at the Rogers Centre in Toronto amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"Unlike preseason training, regular-season games would require repeated cross-border travel of Blue Jays players and staff, as well as opposing teams into and out of Canada," Marco Mendicino, Canada's minister of immigration, refugees, and citizenship said Saturday.

"Of particular concern, the Toronto Blue Jays would be required to play in locations where the risk of virus transmission remains high,"

Other alternative sites the Blue Jays have considered include Buffalo's Sahlen Field, Baltimore's Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and their own spring training site in Dunedin, Florida.

The Blue Jays kick off their regular season on July 24 against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Their first home game is scheduled to take place on July 29 against the Washington Nationals.

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