OTTAWA - The Toronto Blue Jays have struck out with the Canadian government and will be forced to play outside of Canada this season.

"Based on the best-available public health advice, we have concluded the cross-border travel required for MLB regular season play would not adequately protect Canadians' health and safety," Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino announced on Saturday.

The government said it was especially concerned the Jays would be playing in cities where the risk of virus transmission remains high. Major League Baseball's abbreviated 60-game season has the team playing twice in Tampa Bay, once in Miami.

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