Which unvaccinated Kansas City Royals players can’t enter Canada to play the Blue Jays?
As they prepare to head north of the border, the Royals roster has been depleted by strict Canadian travel restrictions for unvaccinated players.
With Canada still maintaining strict covid-19 travel restrictions, the Royals could be facing quite a tough task when they head across the border to face the Blue Jays this week.
Kansas City Royals lose 10 players to Canadian covid-19 restrictions
Reports have confirmed, that the Kansas City Royals are set to be without 10 of the 26 players on their active roster when they head to Toronto on Thursday for their form-game series. Canada, as has been well documented continues to enforce restrictions on travelers who are not vaccinated against covid-19.
“Many teams have been affected by the restrictions, though the Royals have a far bigger contingent of unvaccinated players than any other team we’ve seen to this point,” one report read. “Pretty much every team thus far that has visited the Jays in Toronto has had a set of players who haven’t gotten the vaccine and were then placed on the restricted list, but this is on another level.” Another report continued, “...In fact, only 25 players in total have been placed on the restricted list before series in Toronto for this reason so far. The Royals will push that number to 35 in one fell swoop.”
Which Royals players will be restricted?
On Wednesday, Royals manager Mike Matheny disclosed that the club will lose out on the services of hitters Andrew Benintendi, Hunter Dozier, Cam Gallagher, Kyle Isbel, MJ Melendez, Whit Merrifield and Michael A Taylor. Additionally, pitchers Dylan Coleman, Brad Keller and Brady Singer will also be staying home. What does that mean exactly? With four games being played in Toronto, each of the 10 players will be placed on the restricted list and will subsequently forfeit four days of pay and major league service time in accordance with the terms of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement.
“It’s an individual choice,” Matheny said. “The organization’s done a real good job bringing in professionals and experts to talk guys through tough conversations and then put it in their hands to make the decisions they believe is best for them and their families.”
What does forfeiture of pay look like for the Royals players?
As things stand, there is definitely going to be tangible effect on the bank accounts of the aforementioned players. Benintendi for starters, will lose $186,813, while Merrifield is set to forgo $153,846, Keller $106,044 and Dozier and Taylor $98,901 each. Where the others are concerned, Gallagher will lose out on $19,451, Singer $15,962, Isbel $15,426, Coleman $15,399 and Melendez $15,385. It is understood that the team will announce replacements for the 10 on Thursday as well as details regarding other staff members who won’t be allowed to travel with the team.
“Now what it presents is an opportunity for some young guys to step in who wouldn’t normally be here,” Matheny said. “It will affect what we’re doing rotation-wise and that will be another question that we’ll have to answer later. I’m excited about some guys coming in and getting a chance.”
What have Royals players said about the decision?
The majority of affected players have alluded to personal decisions for their families and themselves as the root reason why they refused to be vaccinated. “It was a choice I made talking with my family, talking with my wife. I didn’t think that the risk was worth it, honestly,” Merrifield said before adding, “I don’t feel like COVID is a threat to me.” Interestingly, the affected players stated that they believed they had the team’s collective support in their decisions.
“We’ve talked to these guys, they’re not judging us at all,” Dozier said. “They have our backs. I don’t think we’ve ever dealt with something like this, where we’re being forced to take a vaccine just to go play over in Toronto. It’s just a weird situation. It’s unfortunate.” Teammate Dylan Coleman seemed to echo similar sentiments saying, “(The) staff, owner, GM, everybody, it’s been really cool to see how they’re handling it,” he said. “Not like forcing it. I feel like we all have our own opinion, so it’s been really good that the higher-ups respect that.” Curiously, Merrifield appeared to cast some uncertainty on his decisions saying he might change his mind were it a post season situation. “That might change down the road,” he said. “If something happens and I happen to get on a team that has a chance to go play in Canada in the postseason, maybe that changes. As we sit here right now, I’m comfortable with my decision.”
The Blue Jays won’t approach the Royals differently
Speaking on the situation, newly appointed Blue Jays head coach John Schneider said his team has no intention of taking Kansas City lightly. “A little bit surprising, but the rules are the rules. We live by them and the rest of the league lives by them,” Schneider said in Toronto. “Definitely not a series you’re going to take lightly going into the break. You kind of see who they have, you game plan accordingly, and hopefully build off this two-game series (sweep) against the (Philadelphia) Phillies.”