Puerto Rico Series Between Mets, Marlins Canceled

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Major League Baseball's return to Puerto Rico has been put off for at least another season. 

On Thursday, MLB canceled the upcoming Puerto Rico series between the New York Mets and Miami Marlins due to the delayed start of the 2020 season. The series was set to begin on April 28 before its finale two days later. 

The meeting between both National League East teams would've been the first time two teams played in Puerto Rico since 2018, where the Twins and Indians played in front of 19,537 fans at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, according to Baseball Reference. 

The Mexico City series scheduled for April 18-19 between the @Padres & @Dbacks & the San Juan series scheduled for April 28-30 between the @Mets & @Marlins have been canceled due to the delayed opening of the 2020 @MLB season. Games will be rescheduled in the home teams’ cities.

— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) March 19, 2020

For reliever Edwin Diaz and catcher Tomas Nido, the cancellation is a ruined opportunity to play in their native country. 

Nearly 10 years have passed since the Mets and Marlins last met in Puerto Rico. Miami bested New York in the three-game series, winning two games. The Mets, however, were looking forward their return to the island. 

“Puerto Rico has a rich baseball history and passionate baseball fans," Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said last August, when the series was announced. "We are honored to represent the Mets and Major League Baseball, and are looking forward to returning to Puerto Rico and play the Marlins in 2020."

The Mexico City series between the Padres and Diamondbacks was also canceled as a result of MLB's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Teams are likely facing a May start, two months after they were originally set to open the season. The Puerto Rico and Mexico City series games are rescheduled to take place in the home team's cities, according to MLB Communications.