Report: Blue Jays hope to play in Toronto, Dunedin remains backup plan

The Toronto Blue Jays are still hoping to play their 2020 home schedule at Rogers Centre despite the current Canada-United States border shutdown, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi reports.

To that end, Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro has been in regular contact with the Canadian government, according to Davidi. Shapiro was added to the government's national Registry of Lobbyists this week.

While the Blue Jays are preparing to play home games in Toronto, they're also planning for the possibility that they, along with visiting teams, won't be able to cross the border during the season. The Canada-U.S. border will continue to be closed for non-essential travel until at least July 21.

If Rogers Centre isn't a possibility, the Blue Jays will play at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida, Davidi reports. The Blue Jays' longtime spring training home won out as the alternative venue over other possible parks, including big-league stadiums Tropicana Field and Marlins Park.

TD Ballpark is reportedly undergoing renovations to bring it up major-league standards.

Toronto mayor John Tory said in May that it's possible professional sports won't be able to resume in the city until the fall.

Optimism about the Blue Jays returning to the city has grown since that time, thanks in part to the Canadian government allowing NHL players to bypass the mandatory 14-day quarantine if the league uses hub cities in Canada, according to Davidi.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred reportedly refused the union's latest proposal for a 70-game season Thursday.