ST. LOUIS — The Pirates and Marlins received a briefing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the risks of the Zika virus in Puerto Rico and the safety precautions being taken. Eventually the trip was put to a vote. The Pirates voted against.
“It was unanimous,” MLBPA rep Gerrit Cole said.
MLB on Friday moved the two games between the Pirates and Marlins from San Juan’s Hiram Bithorn Stadium to Miami. The threat of the Zika virus, which spreads via mosquito bites and sexual contact and has been linked to birth defects, was deemed too great for two teams of players and support staff who may want to start or expand their families.