TORONTO, CANADA (SNN-TV) – Ten Kansas City Royals players, including four of their top hitters and two of their best starting pitchers this season, will not travel to Toronto this week for the four-game series with the Blue Jays because they have not received the COVID-19 vaccination.
The vaccine requirement for border crossing into Canada will affect: OF Andrew Benintendi, UTIL Whit Merrifield, C MJ Melendez, 1B Hunter Dozier, RHP Brad Keller, RHP Brady Singer, CF Michael A. Taylor, OF Kyle Isbel, RHP Dylan Coleman and C Cam Gallagher.
Royals manager Mike Matheny spoke to what kind of team KC will field for the series.
“I’m excited about some guys coming and getting a chance. Do we want our major league team on the field? The answer is yes. But right now this is the situation that we’re in and we’re looking forward to somebody else stepping in and making the most of the opportunity.”
Players who are unvaccinated and don’t make the trip to Toronto are placed on the restricted list and forfeit service time and salary for the four games missed.
