Concerns regarding the Zika virus could result in the relocation of two MLB games between the Miami Marlins and the Pittsburgh Pirates scheduled to be played in Puerto Rico on May 30 and 31, according to the Miami Herald.
Players for both teams were informed about Zika and the situation in Puerto Rico — where the virus is spreading rapidly — in respective meetings with CDC representatives and league officials.
Marlins pitcher Tom Koehler told the Herald, "When we had the meeting, there were some facts and things that were kind of shocking to both sides, that maybe we didn't know going into the meeting...it does maybe alter the decision a little bit."
The Herald reportedly received information from an inside source who requested anonymity. The source said the players on both teams had already voted unanimously to cancel the trip and are waiting for the commissioner's office to make a decision.
Currently there are 570 locally acquired confirmed cases of the Zika virus in Puerto Rico, according to the CDC. As summer approaches, cities like Miami with environments that already harbor the Zika-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are expected to encounter locally transmitted Zika cases. There have been 90 confirmed travel-related Zika cases in Florida as of April 29.
If the games are canceled in Puerto Rico, they will likely be relocated to Marlins Park in Miami since the Marlins are listed as the home team for the contests.
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