Jays’ Merrifield says he’s vaccinated for COVID-19, will be cleared to play in Toronto

Whit Merrifield stated Thursday he’s vaccinated for COVID-19 and can be cleared to play for Toronto when the Blue Jays return to Canada.

“I will be in Toronto when the staff will get to Toronto,” Merrifield stated, avoiding saying when he obtained the vaccine.

Merrifield was amongst 10 gamers on the Royals who had been unvaccinated final month, stopping them from making their journey to Toronto. When requested about his determination, Merrifield drew the ire of Kansas Metropolis followers by saying: “One thing occurs and I occur to get on a staff that has an opportunity to go play in Canada within the postseason, perhaps that modifications.”

“It was one thing that I most likely may have dealt with somewhat higher,” Merrifield stated Thursday of his feedback in July. “However what’s occurred, occurred. I am excited to be a Blue Jay. Excited to get to Toronto and play within the Rogers Centre as my dwelling.”

Toronto leads the AL wild-card standings because it tries to make the postseason for the second time in three years. The following dwelling recreation for the Blue Jays is Aug. 12 towards Cleveland.

Toronto supervisor John Schneider stated Merrifield will play nearly every single day in a wide range of positions, most probably second base and centre.

“It is a luxurious to have, to have that type of man the place you’ll be able to actually put anyplace and really feel snug about it,” Schneider stated. “The times that he isn’t beginning, he is most likely going to play. I believe with having a bench like this now, it permits us to be somewhat bit extra aggressive in some sure spots that we have not been earlier within the 12 months. An asset to have, for certain.”