Thursday was announcement that the Tampa Bay Rays will play their home games in 2025 at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees.

The move was necessitated by the damage caused to Tropicana Field during Hurricane Milton in October. Reports of the damage were released earlier this week, indicating the pitch would not be playable during the 2025 campaign.

This news means that the Toronto Blue Jays’ spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida, will not serve as the Rays’ home stadium. Dunedin previously served as the Blue Jays’ temporary home in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ballpark had initially been mentioned as a possible home for the Rays.

The following on the decision comes from a press release issued by the Rays:

Steinbrenner Field was chosen as the Rays’ temporary home for the regular season because it is the best prepared facility in the Tampa Bay area to host Major League Baseball regular season games. Steinbrenner Field was already undergoing renovations to improve its clubhouse and playing facilities. Recent projects include improved field lighting, expanded locker room space, and enhanced training and rehabilitation capabilities. It is also the largest spring training stadium in the region, with a capacity of approximately 11,000 spectators. Additional improvements are expected to be made before the regular season to ensure fans continue to have a wonderful experience at Rays games.

Staying near St. Petersburg and being in Pinellas County was of great importance to Major League Baseball in this entire saga. Dunedin is in Pinellas County, but obviously the parties involved felt the Yankees’ facilities were a better fit.

By not having to host the Rays, the Blue Jays will not need to make any changes to their minor league schedule. The Jays Single-A affiliate plays in Dunedin.

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