Category: Toronto Blue Jays

Phillies will be allowed to bank some citizens

Phillies to host fans in limited capacity for start of 2021 season at Citizens Bank Park

With new safety protocols introduced, fans are invited back to the ballpark experience; Tickets go on sale for the first 19 games on March 12 online at Phillies.com

The Phillies are getting ready to safely welcome a limited number of fans back to baseball for the first 19 regular season home games at Citizens Bank Park, which includes series against the Atlanta Braves (April 1, 3 & 4), New York Mets (April 5-7; April 30-May 2), St. Louis Cardinals (April 16-18), San Francisco Giants (April 19-21) and Milwaukee Brewers (May 3-6). 

This “soft opening” of Phillies baseball is in collaboration with the City of Philadelphia and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as dependent on a continuation of declining COVID-19 cases in the region. The well-being and safety of fans, players and staff will continue to be the absolute priority.  

The limited return of fans also includes the addition of extensive health and safety protocols for all Phillies home games, with operational specifics to be announced prior to Opening Day. Among the protocols: 

  • With capacity limits for outdoor events currently capped at 20%, 8,800 fans will be permitted at each Phillies home game.   
  • To allow for socially distant seating, fans will be seated in pods of two, three or four people, with limited pods available for five to six people.  
  • All attendees age two years and older must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth at all times on ballpark property, other than when actively eating or drinking at their ticketed seats.   
  • All areas of the ballpark accessed by fans will be cleaned and disinfected before, during and after each game by a newly created “Clean Team” utilizing processes and products approved by the CDC and EPA specifically for use against COVID-19. Hand sanitizing stations will also be widely available.    

“We have been diligently working with our city and state officials to finalize health and safety protocols at Citizens Bank Park. With these important measures now in place, we are excited to safely welcome a limited number of our fans back to the ballpark experience,” said Phillies Executive Vice President David Buck. “The unmatched energy our fans bring to the game has undoubtedly been missed, and we can’t wait to hear their cheers once again come Opening Day.” 

The opportunity to attend the Phillies first 19 regular season home games at Citizens Bank Park will be offered initially to season ticket holders. The public will also have the chance to purchase tickets beginning on Friday, March 12, available online only at Phillies.com. All tickets will be mobile. 

Tickets for the remaining 62 regular season home games will go on sale in early April. The amount of tickets sold for these games may increase or decrease as health conditions evolve. The Phillies will continue to consult with, and take direction from, local and state officials throughout the season. 

Fans are encouraged to visit Phillies.com or follow @phillies on social media for news and updates, including ticket availability for future games.I

BERGEN RETURNS TO BLUE JAYS

BLUE JAYS ACQUIRE BERGEN

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired LHP Travis Bergen from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations. RHP Patrick Murphy has been placed on the 60-day injured list with a sprained right A/C joint.

Bergen, 27, began his 2020 season with Toronto and pitched in one Major League contest before he was dealt to Arizona on August 31 for LHP Robbie Ray and cash. The 6-1, 215 lb. lefty then made seven appearances for the Diamondbacks and finished the campaign with a 3.24 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 8.1 innings of work.

The Kennesaw State University product was selected by the Blue Jays in the seventh round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft, selected by the Giants in the 2018 Rule 5 draft and returned to the Blue Jays in August of 2019. He has kept a 4.82 ERA while going 3-0 over 29 career games.

– BLUE JAYS –

Spring games begin with fans, new faces, moment for Mancini — MLB | NBC Sports

Nolan Arenado in his new Cardinal red, Mookie Betts back in Dodger blue. October breakout star Randy Arozarena with a hit in his first February at-bat, Buster Posey returning from an opt-out year.

Spring games begin with fans, new faces, moment for Mancini — MLB | NBC Sports

How Greg Maddux played into Sean Manaea’s offseason rediscovery — East Bay Times

Before the 2020 postseason began, Tyler Pazik texted his best friend Sean Manaea an article. It was a story about Greg Maddux hiring a mental health performance coach that helped transform the Hall of Fame pitcher into a savant. “We doin’ this or what?” Pazik texted along with the article. “Hell yeah,” Manaea responded. Manaea,…

How Greg Maddux played into Sean Manaea’s offseason rediscovery — East Bay Times

Blue Jays sign Milone

BLUE JAYS SPRING TRAINING INVITEES 

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with LHP Tommy Milone on a Minor League contract with an invite to 2021 Major League Spring Training.  

Milone, 34, held a 6.69 ERA while splitting nine starts between the Orioles and the Braves last season. The 6-0, 215 lb. left-hander was traded from Baltimore to Atlanta on August 30 but had his season come to an end 11 days later when he landed on the injured list with left elbow inflammation. The native of Saugus, CA, was drafted by the Nationals in 2008 and has maintained a career 4.56 ERA while going 51-51 over the course of 10 Major League seasons.

Additionally, the Blue Jays have invited the following non-roster players to Major League Spring Training: 

·       C Chris Bec

·       RHP Hobie Harris

·       INF Cullen Large

Spring training: Giants sell out of tickets for Cactus League games at Scottsdale Stadium — East Bay Times

Fans hoping to attend a Giants home game during spring training won’t find any tickets available at Scottsdale Stadium or on the team’s website. A team spokesperson told the Bay Area News Group the Giants offered tickets to spring training season-ticket holders last week and then placed a small number of remaining tickets for home…

Spring training: Giants sell out of tickets for Cactus League games at Scottsdale Stadium — East Bay Times