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| - The Toronto Blue Jays, forced to play Major League Baseball home games in the United States by Covid-19, will move them from Florida to Buffalo, New York, in June. The Canadian club has gone 7-4 in games at its pre-season training site in Dunedin, Florida, and will play 10 more games there before the shift to Buffalo on June 1. The Blue Jays, 14-14 overall and fourth in the American League East division, will play at Sahlen Field, the home of its top developmental team and just across the Canadian border. Toronto went 17-9 last year in home games played at Buffalo with no spectators allowed due to Covid-19 restrictions that forced the team from Canada. This year, about 4,300 fans a game (24% of stadium capacity) will be allowed to attend. "The team is excited to return to the site of its strong 2020 campaign, this time with in-person cheers from Buffalo-area fans," the Blue Jays said in a statement. "We want to thank Canadians for everything they have done to combat COVID-19 in our communities... through these efforts, we can hope for the day we reunite with our fans on home soil." Canadian restrictions on non-essential travel forced the Blue Jays into playing at US venues for a second consecutive season. A stadium renovation project included improved weightroom and clubhouse facilities and additional lighting. The Blue Jays will play their first games in Buffalo against the Miami Marlins on June 1-2. The stadium will have social distance seating guidelines and fans must wear masks and undergo temperature checks. They also must provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours. js/rcw
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