The Blue Jays are targeting a July 30 return to Toronto after a season and a half away from the franchise’s home city because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Multiple outlets reported that the Blue Jays are awaiting final approval of their proposal, which has received the OK from city and provincial leaders, per reports.
The Blue Jays played “home” games last year at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, N.Y. They opened the 2021 season at their spring training complex in Dunedin, Fla., before moving to Buffalo on June 1.
A July 30 return to Rogers Centre would coincide with the start of a 10-game homestand, with the Blue Jays scheduled to host the Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox. After the All-Star break, Toronto is set to meet the Texas Rangers and Red Sox in Buffalo for three games each before embarking on a seven-game road trip to meet the New York Mets and Red Sox.
The 10 scheduled games against the Red Sox in that span could be key to deciding who wins the American League East. Entering play Monday, Boston has the best record in the league and leads the division by 4 1/2 games over the Tampa Bay Rays and 8 1/2 over the Blue Jays.
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The Canadian government is beginning to ease its stringent border-crossing regulations amid the pandemic. As part of the Stanley Cup playoffs, U.S.-based teams have been allowed to travel to Canada for the first time this season.
–Field Level Media