Triple-A baseball in St. Paul will have to wait, for now.
Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that the Triple-A season will not begin until May as MLB once again uses alternate sites, like CHS Field, for reserve players.
CHS Field served as an alternate site for Minnesota Twins players last season and will be used as an alternate site again this season.
It's unclear how many players will be allowed at alternate sites.
The St. Paul Saints, Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins, were scheduled to begin Tuesday, April 6. With the change announced Tuesday, the Saints' season now begins May 4 with the schedule shifting from 142 games to 120.
Minnesota Twins president Dave St. Peter discussed the delay with WCCO Radio's Dave Lee on Wednesday morning.
"The Saints will continue to operate as an alternate site so we will have a number of players, a taxi squad, participating in drills on a daily basis at CHS Field," St. Peter said.
In a press release, the Saints expressed optimism despite the delay.
“While we are eager to begin our first year as the Twins Triple-A Affiliate, we understand and appreciate what Major League Baseball is doing by delaying the start of our season by a month.” said Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Derek Sharrer. "We look forward to working with the Twins as their alternate training site in April as we prepare to safely host fans when our 2021 season begins in May."
According to the Saints, the only adjustment for the team is the week of the Major League All-Star Game where a three-day break was scheduled for July 12-14. The Saints will now add two home games that week on Tuesday, July 13 and Wednesday, July 14 against the Columbus Clippers turning the four-game series into a six-game series.
They will also play an even number of home and away games with 60 each.
With the Triple-A season pushed back, more players and fans may have the opportunity to get their COVID-19 vaccines before the season begins.
