The St. Louis Cardinals are engaged in a tight NL Central race and clinging onto the final spot of the NL Wild Card by one game, yet they will be without their two best players when the team makes its next road trip to Toronto.
Neither Paul Goldschmidt nor Nolan Arenado will be with the team for a two-game series against the Blue Jays this week because neither have received a COVID-19 vaccination. Catcher Austin Romine will also not make the trip.
Canada’s laws prohibit anyone from entering the country unless vaccinated, which has become an issue for a handful of teams making the trip to Toronto.
It is the only two times the Cardinals will play the Blue Jays in Toronto this year, so it is not as significant a factor as American League teams that make multiple trips per year.
However, not having two All-Star players available for a late July series while fighting for a playoff spot is certainly not ideal.
There is no word yet on why they chose not to get vaccinated.
Canada’s law has impacted several teams this year who had to travel to Toronto without key players who remain unvaccinated. It could especially become problematic as the Blue Jays are currently a playoff team and a player’s vaccination status could potentially impact a playoff series.
This would not affect the Cardinals again unless they were to meet the Blue Jays in the World Series.
Canada’s decision to require proof of vaccination was deemed by the country’s government as an essential component to move past the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in 6.3 million deaths worldwide in just two-and-a-half years.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state the vaccine is safe and effecting at protecting people from getting seriously ill, hospitalization and death and that it can offer added protection to those who have already had the virus. More information on the vaccine can be found here.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram