BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN/AP) - Buffalo's brush with major league baseball is in it's final days.
The Toronto Blue Jays were given approval from the Canadian government on Friday for an exemption on border restrictions that would allow them to play in Canada later this month.
The Blue Jays asked the federal government to allow them to play at Rogers Centre starting July 30 and wanted a response by Friday.
The Blue Jays played home games during the shortened 2020 season in Buffalo, and started this season in Dunedin, Florida, before moving to Buffalo.
Canada's immigration minister announced the team's return on Friday, saying the decision was made in conjunction with public health officials.
Fans learned of the news prior to the start of the Blue Jays' series opener against the Texas Rangers at Sahlen Field Friday.
No place like home.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 16, 2021
7.30.21 #WeAreBlueJays pic.twitter.com/DI90MaHaRO
The Buffalo Bisons released a statement shortly after the announcement, saying they're looking forward to returning home to Sahlen Field later this season.
The statement said in part, "The Buffalo Bisons are extremely happy for the Blue Jays organization, the City of Toronto and their great fans with the news that they'll soon be able to reunite at the Rogers Centre in Canada. We're proud to have been able to support our Major League partner over the last two years and are especially thankfully for how our amazing fans in Buffalo and throughout Western New York have welcomed the Blue Jays and cheered for them as their hometown team this summer."
There is an expectation that the Buffalo Bisons may return to Buffalo later this Summer. The Triple A club has been playing home games this season in Trenton, New Jersey.
The Blue Jays are in their final stretch of games in Buffalo. The Texas Rangers are in town this weekend and they face the Boston Red Sox Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
