TORONTO: Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday placed left-hander Brooks Raleigh and right-hander Ryan Thompson on the banned list for starting a five-match series against the Blue Jays in Toronto.
Tampa Bay added JV Guerra and Phoenix Sanders from Triple-A Durham.
In addition, left-hander Jeffrey Springs was placed on a family medical emergency list and Lt. Ryan Yarbro was recalled from Triple-A. Wrights Dustin Knight and David McKay were added to the taxi squad for the trip to Toronto.
To enter the country, the Canadian government must give a person a second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine – or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine – at least 14 days before entry.
Under a March agreement between Major League Baseball and the Players Union, unvaccinated players go on the banned list because they are not paid and do not get major league service time.
Springs was scheduled to start against Toronto on Thursday. Instead, right-handed Matt Whistler will open, with Yarbro expected to follow suit.
Ray and the Blue Jays are playing doubleheader on Saturday, playing one of two this season for the April series, which was canceled due to a lockout in Toronto.