Manfred nearing decision on moving games from Puerto Rico
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MLB commissioner Rob Manfred will make a decision in the next few days on whether the games between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins scheduled to be played in Puerto Rico will be moved, according to the Associated Press.
The decision comes amid concerns from players on both teams about the presence of Zika Virus in Puerto Rico. The disease is mostly spread by mosquitos and causes a birth defect called microcephaly, which leads to infants being born with abnormally small heads, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
“We are in the process of still having discussions with a variety of interested parties, mostly outside the game... before we make a final decision and announcement,” Manfred said to the AP.
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The teams are scheduled to play in San Juan on May 30–31 in honor of Roberto Clemente Day, a league-wide celebration of the Puerto Rican Hall of Famer.
If moved, the games would be played in Miami, as the Marlins are the scheduled home team.
